Today I’m celebrating the blog’s anniversary with these four truths I’ve learned over the past seven years.
HISsparrowBlog is seven years old now.
Seven years.
Wow.
The number seems small compared to all I’ve learned. Who knew there was so much involved in blogging? It starts with writing, and I’ve learned tons in that area, but then there is all the rest, too: making and designing a website, designing graphics, SEO, etc.
But then there are all the things I’ve learned about myself. Who knew there was so much to learn personally and spiritually from blogging?
Truths Blogging Has Taught Me
There have been so many highs of encouragement and wonder, and there have been seasons of discouragement and fear. These seasons have taught me a lot.
#1 – First things first.
I’ve found that my blogging and writing are directly linked to my spiritual walk with God. This probably shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise, though. The spiritual touches every aspect of our lives.
#2 – Be willing to learn and grow.
I have learned that perfection isn’t my goal. I could never reach that goal anyway, but I can see the importance of being willing to learn as I go.
#3 – Just do it.
When starting something new, it can be tempting to think I need to learn everything before I start. If I had done that with this blog, I still wouldn’t have started because I’m still learning.
Blogging has taught me to not be scared of the things I don’t know.
#4 – Accept the grace that is Mine.
I have missed so many posts. I’ve misspelled words and battled rogue commas. I’ve struggled with what to say to people who comment and are obviously struggling. I’ve probably said the wrong things sometimes.
As I said before, I’m going to mess up. I’ve always been one to berate myself for my flaws, but blogging has helped me to extend a little grace to myself. My mantra now is this: keep showing up.
I am so thankful for all I’ve learned blogging in the past seven years. There have been many spiritual lessons.
And I’m thankful for you! Thank you for your sweet support.
What new thing are you feeling led to start? Share in the comments below.
Here are some more resources for your reading pleasure.
- 5 Unexpected Ways Blogging is Just Like Real Life from HISsparrowBlog
- 3 Things I’ve Learned Blogging from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
Happy Blogaversary, Ashley! Blogging has taught me so many things too, including things I wasn’t even aware I needed to know. 🙂 I love your mantra to keep showing up. I’ve used “just show up” for years in so many areas of life, and it has been a game-changer.
Yes, just showing up means so much. It actually goes along with another of my mantras: a little progress is progress. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been blogging since the end of 2013, though only at my current blog since 2016. I can identify with each one of the things you mentioned. It’s encouraging to know I’m not alone. We won’t be perfect and we’ll make mistakes, but by putting God first and showing up, being willing to learn, we might just encourage others to do the same. Thank you for your enouragement! Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at #Let’sHaveCoffee.
Yes. I love that, Gayl: encouraging others with our messes is something God is so good at. Thank you for your comment!
Happy blogaversary! I’ve learned many of the same things over the years. I am still learning and growing in this area–as well as others.
Isn’t it amazing that we can continue to learn so much? But then, it’s really good thing that we can’t learn it all. How boring would that be, right? Thanks for popping in, Barbara!
Happy Blogaversary, Ashley! It is amazing all I have learned from blogging. More than what I have learned, I have been blessed by every person I have connected. I am grateful for the journey and for all I have yet to learn 🙂
Excellent point, Joanne! The connections with fellow bloggers has been wonderful. Thank you for commenting!
Congratulations, Ashley on 7 glorious years of sharing your heart and God’s wisdom with us! I love your lessons learned, especially “first things first”, prioritizing your walk with God. I know I can get ahead of things and leave God in the background. Thank you for reminding me today to keep my eyes on the Lord for all things!
That is a lesson I continually relearn. Thank you for stopping by, Donna!
Happy Blogaversary Ashley! I love what you’ve learned over the years. Blessings.
Visiting today from #TellHisStory
Thank you, Paula!
Ashley, congrats for showing up for seven years! I’ve been at it for more than eight years, and I still have much to learn too. I sometimes think I would be a lot further along if I had done things better early on (like figuring out SEO, which I still haven’t done). But then I think about all the things I’ve learned, relationships made, encouragements offered, etc., and I’m OK with being where I am. Here’s to many more years of showing up together!
Here, here!
These are great lessons, Ashley. I’m definitely still learning all four. If I had known all the mistakes I’d make and all the things I would have to learn, I’m not sure I would have started. But God has used it in so many ways. It has kept me focused on Him as I realize just how much I need His help every day and how much I have to learn.
I’m so glad you started, Donna. Your spot on the web is a great encouragement to me. Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Blogaversary! I love your mantra, “Keep Showing Up.” It applies to anything worthwhile you want to do in your life.
Sure does. Thanks for commenting, Jerralea!