Encouraging Bloggers

I still remember the day… A few years ago I paid for a blog consultation, hoping to improve my blog.  Really, I was looking for some basic tips on graphic design, reaching readers, making good content, etc.  When I got off the phone, I was nearly in tears.  Okay, I think I was in tears.

I felt pressure to build my blog into a business, making money through ads – something I was not ready to do at the time – and spend at least three hours a day on the internet building my blog.

Three hours a day on the internet?  Nope.  Not gonna do it.  I can’t do it.

Some people may be able to afford that kind of time on the internet.  Not me.  Not at this point of my life.

I guess if I needed the money, I would have been able to justify the time online.  However, I wasn’t doing it for the money.  I was writing and blogging because I have a passion in my heart for it. 

I have a passion to share the love and knowledge of God with others.
I have a passion to equip moms, wives, homemakers, and women to live better lives for God.
I have a passion to share my love for the family and home.

That’s what keeps me going.  My passion.

If you are a blogger, you know it is easy to get discouraged.  It is easy to see the popular bloggers and compare yourself to them.  Sometimes the urge to quit reveals its ugly head, and you push past it, hoping you are making a difference in someone’s life.

Let me encourage you.

If you are following God’s will for your life and sharing your talents with others, you ARE making and WILL make a difference.

You may not have the size crowd you want, and it may not come when you want it.  Nonetheless, you WILL touch people’s lives.

If you have a blog, let me encourage you.

Keep writing.
Keep praying to see how God wants to use your blog.
Keep plodding along in small ways to make your blog known to the world via social media, friends, etc.
Don’t compare yourself to others.  Focus on the task God has for you.

Here are some other resources for blog encouragement.

• My blogger friend, Lisa, from “Stop and Smell the Chocolates” did a series on Encouraging Bloggers.  It is very good!
• Jenni Mullinix did a post about writing for God, that I found very encouraging!

Tilapia Tacos

When I made these tacos last week, my son did not realize I had used tilapia.  He was about to say, “Mom, you should try these with fish”, when he realized I DID use fish.

These tacos are fresh, healthful, and tasty!

Tilapia Tacos
makes about 12 tacos
printable version

1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
3 or 4 tilapia filets
1 or 2 limes, juiced
salt and pepper
corn tortillas
handful of cilantro, chopped
feta cheese, optional

Season tilapia filets with lime juice, salt, and pepper.  Set aside.

Saute onion and peppers in olive or coconut oil until they are well-cooked.

Remove from pan.

Add more oil to the same pan, if necessary, to sauté tilapia filets.  Sauté for a few minutes on one side.  Flip and sauté for a few more minutes until fish is fully-cooked and flaky. 

Flake fish in pan and cook for another minute or two.

Take fish off heat and season with more lime juice and salt.

Warm corn tortillas, if desired, and fill them with peppers and fish.

Top with cilantro and feta cheese.

Enjoy!

Comparison: The Death Trap

Wow!  Look at her!

She’s got the life!

Her house is immaculate and spectacular.

Her appearance is beyond beautiful.

Her blog is popular. 

Her books are popular.

SHE is popular.

Her husband is like no other.

She lacks nothing.

Her children are so well-behaved.

But me… little ol’ me… look at me…

Pity.  Pity.

That’s where we put ourselves when we compare ourselves to others – right in the middle of a PITIFUL hole!

When we compare our lives to others, we are measuring them as our standard, as our goal.

Guess what? 

Others’ lives are not the standard
for our lives.

God’s will is the standard for our lives.

If you try to shape your life into someone else’s, you will fail. 

You are unique.  You are made by God, and He has a special purpose for you!

Don’t fill your mind with the images of other women, husbands, families, blogs, houses, etc..  Fill your mind with what God wants for YOU!

Be content. 
Be thankful.
Be calm.
Be patient.
Be joyful.
Be prayerful.

Choose to live the life God has given you.

Ask God to help you settle into the life
He has designed for YOU!

“But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”  2 Corinthians 10:12