I begin blogging one year ago with no purpose in mind. After my second post about Dulce Maria, a friend encouraged me to tell my stories. From stories came a way to open my heart.
I am not one to share my heart and it was not until recently that I began opening up to friends. Yet, the virtual world seemed so safe. As the cavity of my heart opened, my heart spilled over into words on the internet and became words that few people who know me personally read. Strangers read these words.
As I have opened up online, I have also learned to express my thoughts in spoken words and this is a new experience for me. My friendships have deepened.
Blogging has given me a sense of who I am and who I am not. I am not an eloquent writer and I am not a homemaker. What I am is a woman with a passion for God and for the peoples of the world. At one point I considered being someone different from who I am so that I could fit into the mold of bloggers that have huge followings. Yet even if I could do that, the words would not be from the heart and A Pause on the Path would not be written as I see the world.
So this year I am committed to sharing where God has brought me in the prayer of encouraging others and opening their eyes to the lives of others around the globe.
Thank you to the ninety who linked up for the Best of 2011 which I hosted to celebrate my One Year Blogaversary. The winner of the handbag from South Africa is Shelly from Redemption's Beauty who linked up her post from October 19th. titled Letting Go of What Holds Tight! Congratulations Shelly.
Linking with Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus
Linking with Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus
Shanna, I've enjoyed reading what is on your heart over the months I've been following your blog. I wish you the very best in 2012.
ReplyDeleteDear Shanda, I am so blessed that God has used you in this way, to open your heart and encourage and uplift all those who read your blog. May you have love, joy, peace and all blessings in 2012!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
i love your blog!
ReplyDeleteShanda, I love your committment for the new year, and like others have expressed it has been a blessing knowing more about you through your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and can really identify with it. For a long time I was more concerned about gaining readers, but I really long to share from my heart. Thank you for such an honest, well written blog. I love to visit you here and grow from your wisdom. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an echo :) I feel the same way Shanda!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog & so many others and oddly enough.... we are all strangers :) My closest friends (which are few) don't read my blog :) It's an entire universe of our lives, all it's own.
I'm grateful for linking with you and I'm very grateful for the journey God's bringing me on through blogging. It's a way to identify my true passions as I grow! It's also a way to share those thoughts that sometimes erupt inside our spirits like a volcano! :)
Happy New Year!
You're the only person in the world who can be you, and you do a beautiful job of it.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that blogging has helped you learn how to express yourself better in real life. I think it is great that you are being yourself, and a passion for God is a wonderful thing! Thank you for the link up :)
ReplyDeleteShanda - I just love that you are....you! Heart for the world, heart for missions, eyes to see the world around you! The heart of Jesus seeping out of your every pour! You have something to share with the world that no other can relay! Keep posting your perspective! It is beautiful, precious, priceless....and just what us on here want to read! Happy 2012, friend. ~ jen
ReplyDeleteShanda:
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of the sermon we had on Sunday which could be summed up as "blooming where planted". Each of us are different, but God has created us that way for His purposes.
Blessings for a wonderful 2012.
Happy New Year! Stopping by from the Alexa Blog hop!
ReplyDelete~JamieS
I have enjoyed your writings. I also want God to use my words for His glory even if it is just one person.
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweet lady, for letting me join in this week!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Shanda,
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you've only been blogging one year! You've gone a long way in one year. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. Blessings and best wishes for writing in 2012.
Hi Shanda.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog and look forward to continuing to do so in 2012!
Rachel
It's one of the wonders of the world wide web. We get to share our life, our stories & our thoughts to a lot of people. I was shy growing up & I considered myself a loner but since God has found me, He's shown me that being alone is not good all the time. We need to share our testimonies about Him to other people so we tell how great our Father in heaven is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being an inspiration to all of us Shanda. God bless you!
Love your blog and love this post! I'm following! :) Stop by and visit anytime!
ReplyDeletehttp://notesfromthenelsens.blogspot.com
Shanda, congratulations on your one-year anniversary. I wish you all God's blessings in this new year. May God continue to use you to inspire others.
ReplyDeleteShanda,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on one year! And for being yourself. Your blog is truly a blessing.
Thank you for your comment on my blog,popped over and joined your hop,thanks for hosting :)
ReplyDeleteDear Shanda,
ReplyDeleteThank you for expressing your heart.
Like you, I've wanted to be like other writers, at times. But that's not who God has made me to be. That's not what He wants me to write about. He wants me to be transparent to others who are hurting to come alongside them with the comfort that only He can give.
Keep writing His words, dear one! Great is your reward.
Blessings,
Daphne
Shanda, your blogging experience has so many similarities to my own. May you continue to walk the path God has designed for you.
ReplyDelete"What I am is a woman with a passion for God and for the peoples of the world." I think that is what matters most!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that says "the internet is neutral, so let's claim it for Jesus." This is just what you are doing here, Shanda, with such grace.
ReplyDeleteSorry I never made it over in time to join your best blog hop. What a great idea.
Fondly,
Glenda
God has blessed you in the blogging world!:)
ReplyDeleteI have blogged just a little over a year and never expected the love I have received.
Thank you for sharing your heart and your stories. I can tell you have touched many!
Blessings in your second year of blogging.
Kris
Shanda, we've been blogging just about the same amount of time. I had some walls up to – but I named last year "connect" and the walls had to come down – as well as the masks. I too am not a mom, nor a Shakespeare, but one who loves our Lord. I get that every time I read you. Anyway, God bless you Shanda, and God bless each and every one of yours.
ReplyDeleteShanda, thanks for the inspiration to simply be who we are on our blog. Here's to not trying to fit the mold, and to being the unique women God created us to be. :) Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteI have found that blogging has allowed me to find me again...God has spoken that very strongly to me recently...He has used it to heal and remind me of who He made me.
ReplyDeleteAs for having a huge blog...well you sure do...so you have been very successful in the blog world.
Blessings as you continue in your blogging and sharing your heart.
Shanda,
ReplyDeleteWhen I found out you had only been blogging for a year, my mouth dropped open. With the number of followers you have and your generosity in the links, I was sure you had been up to it for some time. An old pro for me to follow and learn from. And I have learned a lot from you, about more than what you write about. About displaying the character of Christ in every day life. I am honored to be chosen as the winner of the beautiful bag. I will cherish it, knowing it comes from a heart that loves so well. Thank you!(and I can't figure out why my gravatar doesn't show up on Blogger! ugh!)
Shanda,
ReplyDeleteYour Jesus-heart radiates here. God bless you for your obedience. You are keeping your eyes fixed on what (Who) matters most.
So glad you linked up this week.
Grace and peace,
Jennifer