I have 299 followers today. Oddly enough, I happened on several other bloggers today who also have 299 followers. It seems to be the going number for a lot of us right now.
But if you had told me just a few years ago that 299 people would be interested in what I had to write, I doubt I would have believed you. It didn’t seem like even a remote possibility back then. But here we are.
And it just so happens that on this very day another blogger chose to write about what it means to blog and have followers. My sweet friend, Emily, from Chatting at the Sky has a lovely post where she rehashes some things she recently shared at a conference about blogging and book writing and what it all means.
One visual Emily gave that really stuck with me is to think about how you would feel if all of your blog followers showed up in a room to hear you speak. You see, 299 doesn’t seem like much, especially when I know lots of bloggers who have multiplied thousands of followers. But if all 299 of your wonderful selves showed up to listen to me and let me impart into your lives, I’d be completely overwhelmed.
In reality, though, you do show up. Not all at once, but it’s kind of like a drop-in party where everyone comes and goes as it works in their schedule.
Reading Emily’s words really made me stop and think. It seems lately that God is reminding me in a myriad of ways that the people I touch are real, flesh and blood, not-just-on-the-computer-screen people.
That makes me see blogging in a whole new light. It’s not that I didn’t know this before, but the visual of a room full of all of you really struck a chord with me. It made me see both the responsibility and the privilege I have as a blogger. It’s not just my hobby, but a ministry, a friendship, a way to truly reach out and touch people that I may never meet in person. It broadens my world and yours immensely. It connects those of us who might never have had the chance to connect in any other way.
Today my respect for blogging went way up. And I’m so thankful for each individual person represented by that number 299. I wish I could give you all a big southern hug and thank you for taking time to read my words and hear my heart. You truly have no idea how much you bless me!
And I hope that you will look at your followers whether they be 1 or a million and 1, and offer a little prayer of thanks to God for allowing you to write into their world.
16 comments:
Love this! I stumbled upon your site a few months ago and have found such encouragement here. I love how you weave not just the nuts and bolts of writing but also the privilege of writing all together. And here again you have captured the essence of what it is to be an encouragement to someone I may never meet ... but who (astonishingly) comes back to hear more from me! What a blessing that is! Thank you!
Good words! Thanks for the encouragement!! I'm hovering around 277 followers right now, but I expect it will go up next week after the conference.
Bonita - I so agree with this! I started in March and will be hitting the 100 followers by my birthday on September 1 at the rate I'm collecting them. I am amazed and overwhelmed with how I have grown through each one who has chosen to follow my writing reveries and commented with so much love and the touch of the Lord in their words. The Lord is so awesome in how He finds ways to reach out to minister to our deepest needs - and uses us to touch and minister to others in the process. I never would have believed a year ago that I'd be in the creative place I am now - but it is an answer to prayer. Your blog was one of my very first that I followed and added to my list. Thank you for being used of the Lord to bless me in ways that are not words to express!
Joy!
Miss Kathy
Emily is one of those writers whose blog I can't wait to read every day. She has a special way of saying, far more eloquently than I ever could, just what is on my heart.
I enjoyed that post this morning and yours enhances it (you are also one of those writers Bonita).
Nowhere near 299 for me, but this puts it into perspective. It makes what we do just exactly what we pray for - to do kingdom work.
I heard Emily speak on this topic at She Speaks and it really humbled my heart and my view on blogging. I needed this sweet reminder today, thanks so much for sharing!
I made it 300.;) I can't believe you don't have more followers (although I subscribe and didn't realize I wasn't a follower!)- it seems like you are always speaking the Lord's words right to me! I think I have 4 followers, but I'm waiting on the Lord right now, so I am content. Thanks for all you do- and your blog is perfectly named!
Love your encouragement friend. Here's a hug back for you! Please keep me in your prayers as we'll soon make a big transition!
Love you!
Leslie
I am so glad that you write so I can stalk you! :)
I heard Emily speak in Charlotte and this is one of the things I really took from the conference. That instead of focusing who doesn't come to your blog, appreciate those that do. Thanks for this great reminder.
Oh my goodnes Bonita! I have had you on RSS Feed for SO long. Then I read Clare's comment and thought I'd better check.
I wasn't "Following" either.
I fixed that!
I will be launching my blog on September 1, and you have been a great encouragment to me. Your voice, makes mine want to speak. Out loud.
Thank you.
I love this post, Bonita. (How often do I tell you that?)
I first read this post when you had 299 followers, but I didn't have time to comment at that moment. Now you have 301! For someone like me, I think you need a different category. I could be the first person to sign up for "Hang On Your Every Word." :)
Yay, I was going to congratulate you for hitting 299 but now you have 301!! Great job on a really fun and uplifting blog!
I shoulda become a follower after hearing you at Relevant last year. Found you again through Emily of Chatting at the Sky. So glad I did. :-)
Bonita, this gave me goosebumps! I realize that God has given us all a great opportunity to share with each other. Whatever His purpose is in all of this, I accept it with gratitude. I love writing and creating and He has given me a great little venue and a welcome mat outside my little door which swings wide open to my friends who come to visit, encourage, and bless! I'm also grateful that He led me along this path to your door. You are an inspiration! Bless you richly!
Wow. I *just* finished reading Emily's post and then I clicked over and read this one. I have both of your sites bookmarked. Hm, I wonder if God is trying to tell me something?! Um, yes. I think so! Thank you!
Hi Bonita, my sweet bear-claw buddy!
I've been astonished at the friendships I've developed through blogging--yours included. :-)
Back when the whole "followers" button first became available I was slow to add it to my blog, and felt I'd NEVER have more than maybe 10 followers. But even if I only had 10, it's 10 real people I can touch. What a beautiful way to look at it! (And now look, you have 301 followers! Woot!)
I really enjoyed Emily Freeman's session at She Speaks, but I'll be heading over to her blog to check out what she said.
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