Why I Don’t Want You to Follow Me

 

I can’t remember for certain, but I think I read my first blog shortly after I became a stay at home mom nearly 11 years ago.  I remember my husband’s aunt explaining this new and seemingly strange form of journalism to me. “It’s short for web log, which is sort of like an online journal.  There are some great writers out there.  I think you will like them.”

It felt bizarre and slightly creepy to peak into someone else’s mind so casually, see pictures of their life and home and kids.  She was right, I liked it. 

From there I got to know Pioneer Woman, Crystal Paine and a few other mommy bloggers along the way.  I made their recipes and learned about clipping coupons.  I read about making homemade yogurt and cooking without refined sugar.  But mostly, particularly in those early years of transitioning away from the workforce, I just loved their ideas -ideas that got my wheels turning and kept me thinking.

On days when my entire life seemed to be shaped by diaper changes and nap schedules, blogs were a momentary way to lift my eyes above the fray – to engage in different discussions and encourage and challenge me on my journey.

I am as thankful as anyone for blogs.

I had no idea years later I’d be writing one.  Or for several, actually.

But now more than ever, this is true.  I’m amazed that I get to do this thing right here.  To be keeper of my home, educate my children, shuttle them to extracurricular activities, keep up with everyday life and still be able to devote a few of my dark, morning hours to jotting words on a screen, processing ideas, fostering creativity, and offering back some of the hope and encouragement that has grown me, is an opportunity I don’t take for granted.

I’m thankful for blogging.

I’m also a reader of books.  More so than blogs even. I have a fairly audacious reading list I’m working my way through this year.  I enjoy reading a variety of authors, understanding their thought processes, learning new ideas, watching how they craft and convey their message.  My appetite for reading seems only to grow with age.

 

 

A few months ago I started reading through this book with my kids during our morning time.  We’re beginning to study apologetics together, defining truth and shaping a worldview.  I want to give my kids worthy scales on which to weigh things out in their growing minds.  I want to give them a clear view of truth and help them begin to distinguish falsehood.  I want them to know Light so well, that by Light they will see darkness for what it is.

And in studying this, I’m realizing that this learning is every bit for me as well.  This growing and shaping and holding things up against the Light, we don’t outgrow that.

 

 

I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up earlier this year.  Have you read it yet?  I liked it.  It challenged me to purge and get organized.  Although there were a few ideas I didn’t quite agree with – didn’t quite align with my worldview.

I read Big Magic a few weeks ago and loved it.  Really loved it.  Elizabeth Gilbert is bold and relational and a genius at practically encouraging creatives to fight fear.  But there were a couple premises in the book that I couldn’t quite agree with, little things that didn’t sit right with me.

I was introduced to Glennon Doyle Melton (of Momastery fame) via an interview just last year and I loved her almost instantly. She is FUNNY, witty and sharp.  I started following her on Instagram to keep up with her bits of wit.  She is more of the same on there, but she says some stuff I just don’t agree with – things that don’t quite ring of Truth to me.

Here is the deal, friends.  I’m not writing to downplay or contradict these brave and courageous women.  I’m thankful there are people brave enough to put their words and thoughts out there.  This writing space has taught me just how scary that can be, at times.

I’m thankful there are women brave enough to speak out and start a conversation; that we all get to discuss and learn and grow because of their courage.  I don’t expect to agree with every word I read, just as I don’t expect the world to agree with every word I write. But this week I was reminded to never stop weighing words.  We must never stop filtering words and ideas through Truth, no matter how popular the book is, no matter how fantastic the personality is.  We are responsible for continually calibrating our scales with righteousness.

 

Who are we following?

In this day of social media followings and likes and shares and all of that.  Can I remind you, remind your heart – don’t follow people.

 

Don’t follow me.  I’ll let you down, I promise.

Don’t follow bloggers.  There are excellent ones who are working hard and bravely putting out great ideas, but don’t follow them.

Don’t follow authors. Their story is much the same as above.

Don’t follow presidential candidates.  Because, well, ugh, yeah.

Don’t follow celebrities, even the most shining examples of humanity.

Don’t follow teachers or preachers.

Don’t follow your friends or your neighbor or even those wonderful mentors you look up to.

Follow Jesus, friends.  Follow Truth.

Humans?  They will fail you.  I will fail you.  Follow the One who is unfailing and infallible.

The community we have because of blogs and social media is wonderful. Let’s journey together, let’s learn and grow together.  These tribes that support and encourage and challenge one another, they are beautiful and bring so much good.  But in all of the social media liking and sharing, in all of the good books we read or great speakers we hear – let’s use wisdom and filters and scales.

And above all else, let’s follow Him. Bravely.