On Facebook a couple weeks ago, I made a comment that writers are only as good as their readers. But, in hindsight, I misspoke. I should have said:
Bloggers are only as relevant as their readers.
If they are blogging for an express goal of having people read their messages, they have a choice in the messages they send – much like news outlets, bloggers have a choice in what and how they write.
I try very hard to give my readers insight into my thoughts, my successes, and my failures. The writer you read about on this screen is very much the person you would most likely meet in her home – trying very hard to maintain positivity… and, sometimes falling short of that goal!
When we moved last year, I made a goal – to focus on cultivating this blog… to growing readers and gaining followers, so that my messages of positivity and hope might reach the minds and hearts of those who need them most. And, while I didn’t start out stressing over the number of followers I had, somewhere along the way, I began to stress it all too much.
But in doing so, I went back on my initial promise to God when I began blogging – that I would write His messages, and trust He would place those messages in the path of the ones who need to hear them.
About a month and a half ago, in an effort to gain more readers and “likes” on Facebook, I made a deal on social media – if I could get at least 300 followers on Facebook, I would offer a giveaway. My followers rallied, and I surpassed my goal!
Yet, this past week, I have remembered why I blog. I have remembered the deal I struck with God – to put His words and messages on the screen, and let Him guide them to the one who needs to hear the words the most… whether He spreads through likes… through shares… through feeds… or, random Google searches.
Which brings me to my Gratitude Project post this week.
We may have never met in real life, and you and I have possibly never even exchanged words. But, as you read this, I want you to imagine sitting at a table with me – a cup of coffee, tea, wine, or beer for each of us.
I want you to imagine me staring intensely into your eyes as I deliver my following words to you.
This week, dear reader…
This week, I am grateful for…
You!
You are wonderfully and fearfully made.
You are beautiful.
You are special – to me, and more importantly, to Our Creator.
In this great big world, with as many people as there are, you stand apart as a fantastically unique individual.
And, while we may sometimes carry similar burdens, or share the same outlook, fears, and successes, there is nobody else like you in this world.
You, and your life story, amaze me!
Even if you haven’t figured out what it is yet, you have a purpose in this world.
Without you, the world would be a little darker… a little dimmer.
And you help make this world a special place.
So, thank you for joining me on my blogging journey, as I try to find a way to make our world a little brighter, and a little more positive.
If you aren’t aware, I have a pretty special devotion to Divine Mercy, trusting God sees the goodness within each of us and is ready to bestow His Mercy and Forgiveness upon us, if we are only brave enough to seek it.
Therefore, I have put together a special giveaway for one lucky reader of this post.
It comes with a blessed Rosary, with a copy of the certificate of authenticity for the Baltic Amber beads. Designed and made by a dear friend who has challenged me to grow deeper in my own faith journey, she has ensured the Rosary has spent some time with Jesus at Adoration.
I encourage everyone to head over to Forever In His Presence on Etsy to browse her current selection of Rosaries, and if there is ever an occasion in which you find yourself considering a Rosary, think of purchasing a lovingly, prayerfully designed and assembled Rosary through Forever In His Presence.
This Divine Mercy Rosary was gifted to me for the express purpose of this giveaway, and I cannot thank my friend enough. Our combined hope is that the Rosary goes to a good, loving home; and, if you are not Catholic, but choose to enter the giveaway, we hope you have a desire to learn to pray this Christ-centered set of prayers, or know a Catholic who may love this Rosary as much as both of us do!
The giveaway also includes a Divine Mercy coffee mug – a duplicate of my own, favorite coffee mug, and a pamphlet and booklet of the Divine Mercy Novena and set of prayers.
The raffle is open for a week (until next Thursday) – so,
click right here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!
And, remember, you are deserving of all of God’s Mercy and Love! All He asks is for you to hold Him close, and seek His merciful love.
**If you would like to have a printed version of my Letter of Affirmation for my readers, please click the title below.
Read it… Believe it!**
Letter of Affirmation
Until next week, dear reader…
Congratulations! I love the line “I would write His messages, and trust He would place those messages in the path of the ones who need to hear them.” That sums up what our goal as Catholic Bloggers should be, and it is a timely reminder for me.
I’m grateful there are beautiful Catholic voices like yours out there. 🙂
If I won, I’d love to give the rosary and prayer pamphlets to my parents. I don’t think they even have a rosary.
Awww!! That would be awesome!! A “Mom ‘n Dad” Couples Rosary!!
Thank you!! It’s almost a constant reminder I have to pray about. Because, you are correct – that *should* be the goal of our blogging!
1. That rosary is beautiful.
2. I’m grateful that you share your insights!
3. I’d TOTALLY have a wine night with you!
Thank you!! For all three! 🤗
I’m so selfish… I JUSt love Rosaries. I would want this for myself lol. Being so honest 😉
My friend was right… I’m going to have a hard time letting this one go – for totally selfish reasons! May the odds be ever in your favor! 😉
The great thing is Love!!
Beautiful rosary,cup n pamplet😇
I do too design rosaries with cze
glass beads n give them away😇
Blessings!!
Awesome!! That’s great that you also design Rosaries and give them away. Such a beautiful ministry you lead by doing so!
The rosary is absolutely stunning! I understand why you wouldn’t want to part with it.
One of the things for which I am grateful this week is facebook. Without it I never would have found your blog. 🙂 It has been a way to connect with lovely people like yourself who have challenged me to grow as a person and in my faith. Thank you for opening a corner of your life and sharing your thoughts with us. Maybe someday we’ll get the chance to have that cup of tea in person. Until then, I’ll see you on facebook!
Aww!! Thank you! I appreciate being able to challenge others to grow, in the same manner I am challenged by those I know!
I love your thoughts on the real reasons you blog. As a blogger myself, I think it’s sometimes hard to find the balance between remembering that it’s our message that’s important and making sure we’re reaching people with that message! Like you said, it’s definitely an opportunity to trust God more. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you! I’m so glad another blogger understands the struggle is real! 😂 it definitely is a balancing act…
Oh my goodness that is a beautiful rosary! This has just been a Divine Mercy themed week for me. Our parish adults group just has a discussion on Tuesday about St. Faustina and Divine Mercy, and I feel like it has popped up over and over again. Time to pay attention I suppose!
If I had to be hit upside the head with a message, I’d prefer it be the pillow of Divine Mercy! I wonder what will come of you paying more attention to the God nudge…! 🤔 I’m excited to see what comes of it!
I have done the blogging for numbers dance a time or two! It’s hard to get out of sometimes. Gratitude always wins.
Definitely! Thanks for commenting.
Such beautiful work! I’m a Catholic blogger whose principal work covers politics from a pro-life perspective. It is much too easy for me to get tied up in the inevitable day-to-day tensions that go along with the creation of public policy. I am utterly reliant on Divine Mercy, and only through His mercy and grace will anything I do bear good fruit.
I look forward to checking out your site!! I am *sure* He is working His will through your hard work… I have no doubt it is tough.
Thank you so much for leaving a message!
Good thoughts, good points.
About writers, bloggers, and clarifications: I agree, in the context of this post. However, being a nit-picker, I’ll add my opinion or clarification. Bloggers are writers, too: a specialized sort, like novelists or technical writers. Some bloggers aren’t particularly good writers, which is true of any subset.
About being aware of, and trying to increase, readership: I don’t see a problem with that, provided that it doesn’t become the top reason for writing.
I’ll admit to a bias. I recently relaunched my A Catholic Citizen in America blog in ‘my’ domain. That was not quite a year ago now. Not unexpectedly, very few folks who had been reading my stuff on the Blogger-hosted version kept up that habit after the switch.
As before, I write for a ‘higher purpose:’ in my case, evangelization. I figure that if I’m going to ‘evanglize,’ I’d better try to write stuff that at least a few folks will want to read: hence my efforts at self-marketing and growth. ‘Lights and bushels’ and all that.
One more thing: thanks for that link to the ‘Forever…’ shop. A similar link went into my blogroll’s ‘Commercial’ section. Marketing? Evangelization? I’ll let headquarters sort that out, at my particular judgment. And that’s another topic. 😉
As always – thank you for your thoughts and clarifications!
For me, I’ve noticed I begin to focus more on the numbers than I do the message – which hurts my passion for writing. So, I need to focus less on the numbers, and place that trust in God that He will put my words in front of those who need it. That said, I’ve also explored various venues which will increase my readership to messages (hence, my new contribution at Catholic Sistas, and Her View From Home). So, I don’t begrudge others promoting or gaining a following, and I will continue to do so – I just need to reel myself back in, and check my own motives… am I writing just to hear myself be read? Am I writing to gain followers? Or, am I writing to bring messages of positivity, encouragement, or love?
I’m glad you liked Forever In His Presence! My friend has a true talent and desire to bring gorgeous pieces of art to practical use in the hands of anyone who wants to pray the Rosary!
If I win, and can bear to part with it, I think I’d give it to my son who is moving far from home.
Awww!! How sweet!! And, I bet you will struggle to part with it… and, that’s okay!
I would like it for myself and to share.
Awesome!! May the odds be ever in your favor! Thanks for taking a moment to share… 🤗
I would love to give this rosary to my mom who has always been my rock and support since I was a child. I am so grateful to her for everything!
So beautiful!! What a great way to honor your mama! 🤗🤗
If I entered I could win it back…or…maybe not. 😉😂
I’m practicing detachment. I’m practicing detachment. I’m practicing detachment…
Haha! You could, though! 😉 I have considered entering myself! 😂😈
I would like to win this for myself, I must admit!
Nothing wrong with that! It’s a beautiful Rosary!!
Honestly, I would love this rosary for myself. I’ve been trying to get a nice rosary (I’ve got a bunch of free ones I picked up over the past few years) because my last one broke, and the fact that this is a specially designed Divine Mercy one really resonates with me. I’m just starting to learn about Divine Mercy devotions.
How exciting!! I love, love, love Divine Mercy – even if it is a relatively new devotion for me as well! I, too, have a bunch of free Rosaries, and have had to explain to my husband recently that, “One cannot simply have too many Rosaries!” 😂
I would love to win this for my wife. She’s a devout Catholic while I’m a Greek Orthodox. I like to support her in her faith journey.
How amazing!! You are an awesome husband!!
I’m hoping to win this for my mom. She really likes the rosary and I want the mug. Thanks!
So exciting! I have to say – my mug gets used several times a week! It definitely is one of my favorites. And, is an unobtrusive way to evangelize if sitting on a desk at work, too. 🤔🤗
A stunning and beautiful rosary! I would love to win this! I fell away from the Catholic faith for quite a while due to many reasons but have finally come home again in the last year and a half. I am now raising my grandson due to his parents addictions to drugs. Praise God that his mother (my daughter) is currently in recovery. I have been teaching him about the faith and he watches movies about the Holy Family and Blessed Mother. He also reads his children’s bible and he loves listening to Donna Cori Gibson’s music in the evening. That is when we do the rosary. I have developed a great love of the Divine Mercy chaplet and try to do it everyday at 3pm.
What a wonderful giveaway and blog! God Bless you in all you do!
Thank you so much! I am glad you found your way here.
And, such an amazing testimony – to the power of God’s gentle tug on our hearts. Thank you so much for sharing.
I will hold your family in prayers as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet this week – especially for the continued sobriety of your daughter.
I am humbled that you would share your story. Thank you so much! 🤗🤗
This is great Anni! What a beautiful and generous gift! Pick me, pick me! 😊
Haha!! It’s all computer generated!! But, may the odds be ever in your favor! 🤗🤗
I would love to win this for my son.
How awesome… and special!
Your blog made me think of a new ministry….donate a rosary each month to someone who is in need of prayers, a reminder to pray, or just in need of a rosary.
In addition, this is another excellent posting on your blog.
Tongue in cheek: a cup of coffee, tea, wine, or beer for each of us. Could we change that “or” to an “and”??!!!
Haha! I’ll give you my wine and beer, and take your coffee and tea… 🤔😂
That is definitely a great ministry idea… I, however, do not have the time to devote to that, since I do this. However, maybe someone else might?
Thank you!
If I win this Rosary, I plan to add it to my collection of favorite Rosaries! But if God wants me to give it to someone else, I trust Him to put that desire on my heart.
Beautiful intentions!! For both! 🤗
Such a beautiful rosary! Your words gave me the chills …. thank you for reminding us how much we are loved!
I am thrilled the words touched you! Because they were written from the heart!
I love the Rosary my friend designed and created for this particular giveaway… it is certainly special!
That’s a stunning rosary! Not going to lie, I would keep it for myself and hang it up with my collections of rosaries around the house.
I love the honesty!! I also hope it would be used, too! 🤗🤗
Congratulations to whoever won this amazing set of items! You are truly blessed!
Such beautiful words! The winner was e-mailed this morning, but they have 24 hours to respond before I choose another one!