In case you’re looking for “Sound Off,” you are in the right spot. I’m just having a bit of a blogging identity crisis and think it’s time for a new name and a design makeover. For years, I wasn’t sure “Sound off: Wait! Did I say that out loud?” was a completely accurate title for my blog. After all, I write what is appropriate and polite and true. I click “Publish” only after much thought and some hesitation, not exactly the loose canon my former name suggested.
After some thoughtful prayer and contemplation, I decided to name my blog “All Things Work Together” — based on my favorite Scripture verse, Romans 8:28:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (NASB).
I have seen God work in and through me — giving me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that I might make a stand for righteousness and bring Him glory (Isaiah 61:3). In short, He has shown me, indeed, that He can work everything — even tragedy, heartache, pain and loss — for my good.
You may have noticed that after enjoying blogging daily in November for NaBloPoMo, I’ve been limping along in my lack of “write”ousness… or, more accurately, my failure to post.
In part, I’ve been busy at work — covering for a colleague on maternity leave as well as my own position, which has included three major projects pretty much converging at the same time. It’s wonderful and I’m learning a lot, but by the time I get home at night, I’m done in. Except for enjoying some time with my husband and then packing my gym bag so that I can start the whole routine over again the next day…
(Oh, yeah, and then I had that whole “first world problem” incident during which I had little internet at home, especially on the weekends… )
In part, my failure to post is because I stopped prioritizing posting daily (or even weekly) and, from necessity, prioritized projects at work. I still write in those few moments before work and sometimes during my lunch break when my work doesn’t distract me from it — but I tend to start posts that I can’t finish. Blogging takes time, and days go by without an opportunity to reflect and write. When I would get back to work on these partially completed posts, they seemed so, I don’t know, perhaps dated? I then would try to take out the time elements and then complete them, but the impetus behind the writing was gone. I suppose you could call it writer’s block, but I call it being stuck.
The past couple of weeks, I’ve tried to get some inspiration from other bloggers — reading their tips for scheduling and writing and attracting readers and making blogs beautiful and getting more involved with social media and more and more and more… And after visiting blogs and being immediately confronted with popup boxes suggesting I subscribe or take their course; or trying to read a post and being interrupted by advertisements after every paragraph; or reading titles that offered hope only to disappoint; or being overwhelmed by checklists for success more than 50 items long, I decided that all I really want to do is write.
One day I want to write a book that will change the world, but I think it will take more time on my knees and walking the wilderness with God rather than more time getting advice from bloggers who have gone viral. (I know they mean well, and I am just feeling frustrated and a bit mean…)
Please keep me in your prayers as I go through this identity (non)crisis and revamp my blog. I’ve got ideas… goals… motivation. I need clarity in my calling. I intend to keep writing; perhaps a makeover is the very thing to propel those posts to the “Publish” button.
Feel free to share your thoughts with me.
All things do work together for good… Now I’ve got work to do. 🙂
Best,
Sara
All Things Work Together 