One Year

7.29.2007

Today marks the first anniversary of my blog. That's a blogiversary, I guess. It actually snuck up on me. I can't believe it's been a year already! I have mulled over many ideas for this post including writing a really creative poem about blogging, a post in which all the words I write form the number "1", and a word post using all my blogging friends' names, blog titles and snippets of highlights from the year.


Instead, I have a real-life story that surpasses any of those.

On the morning of July 29, 2006, I created my blog but hadn't yet posted. I didn't know if I'd ever post much at all, and I certainly had no creative direction or ideas about the kind of blog I'd eventually try to create. I also had no idea that I'd meet such wonderful blogging friends along the way, and read amazing, funny and touching stories to boot.

Instead, that same day, I was googling the name of a bicyclist who had been brutally murdered on a bike trail in this area a few days prior. What little information I'd heard lead me to think she might be a member of our church. I learned she wasn't, but she was a very active in the homeschooling community here and was beloved by many homeschoolers, including several at our church. That google search lead me to Meredith, a homeschooling mom of three and a member of the same church we attend.

I was interested in her blog and in homeschooling. We've never considered it as an option for our children but I have nothing against homeschoolers. I am a firm believer that whatever works for your family is what's best. But, then I came across a post Meredith had written a year earlier (so two years ago now) about hearing of a fellow church member who was going back to work part-time and putting her child in daycare. Meredith was mad...she was outraged. So, I commented on her blog, simply asking why a mother putting a child in daycare made her so angry. And her response is the first comment on the first post of my blog.

Though our beliefs about working moms vs. stay at home/homeschool moms were on opposite sides of the fence, I kept reading Meredith's blog. I read because she writes so well about the Bible and her journey with the Lord and about her faith and her children and her family. I read because we had so much in common. I read because I really liked her.

Now, today...exactly one year later. Meredith and I met in Sunday School... in real life. Our husbands were there, too, and we all met. I thought I noticed her across the room last week, and I emailed her saying I was certain it was her but I got sidetracked and I didn't get a chance to say hello. She emailed me back saying she'd be there again today. She said she'd read my blog now and then and that she's really had a change of heart regarding judging others who choose not to homeschool and stay at home with their children. She told me she has been convicted about loving people for who they are. "You have blessed me," she said.

And, I feel the same about her.

The lesson in Sunday School today was This is the day that the Lord has made. Not tomorrow or yesterday, but this day. We are to rejoice in this day. Too many of us fear tomorrow and have guilt about yesterday.

And then our class leader asked us to turn to John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

And I read further to John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Isn't it fitting, this verse on this day?

Last year Meredith and I were two women, two wives, two mothers, seemingly on different sides of an issue. But today, this day, we met.

Purely and simply we met. Two women, two wives, two mothers, who love the Lord and have been blessed by one another. Sitting not in judgment of the other's choices, but in praise of our journey.

And I feel the same about all of you. My blogging friends bless me more than I can say. I think about you when I'm writing and I look forwarding to visiting all of you each week. You make me laugh and think and give thanks and even shed a tear now and then.

But more than anything else, you make me realize how much we all share. We're moms, wives, step-moms, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, friends, and neighbors.

You bless me. Each and every one of you. Really, and truly, you do.

This anniversary is a celebration of you.

I couldn't possibly ask for more.

33 comments:

Kelly :

Thank You for sharing that story on your post today. Very uplifting and a blessing to me.

Lori :

Jill, What an amazing story to share with us on your blog anniversary. God's timing is perfect, isn't it?!

Thanks for being so open on your blog - you have been such a blessing to me as a fellow working mother.

justabeachkat :

Happy One Year Blogiversary Jill! I want you to know that I'm so thankful for your friendship. You're so right, blogging has been a wonderful way to meet new friends, learn and share, laugh and cry, pray for each other, and so much more. Your post tonight was very though provoking. It's a wonderful lesson in learning to accept others and to not pass judgement. We can all learn from each other. Great post. Very well written.

Hugs!
Kat

Linda :

Congrats on one year. I just started almost 2 months ago and have really enjoyed it. Sometimes I find myself "blog surfing" way longer than I should. When I leave comments I try to tell someone how I found them but because I've searched through so many I can't remember. I do think I found you a while back through Kat's blog. However I found you I am glad I did. I visit often and enjoy your posts.
Blessings

Lyndy :

What an amazing story. I also feel so blessed by my blogging friends and I am thankful for your friendship Jill.

I too never dreamed that I would be so blessed and have so much fun with blogging.

Happy Blogiversary.

Hugs, Lyndy

Nadine :

Congratulations on your Blogiversary. What a sweet story of friendship. You do a great job and I'm happy to have come across you.

Susan :

Happy Blogiversary, Jill. A great post.

It is so important that we quit judging one another and let people be who God is molding and making them. I talk a lot about how glad I am that God didn't use cookie cutters and make us all alike!!!
Susan

Leah in Iowa :

Well, Happy Blogiversary, friend! I'm glad you posted this, rather than going with some of your other ideas. It was perfect for an anniversary post! I'm like you ~ who knew that there were *SO* many new friends out there, just waiting to be met!? When I first started, my thoughts tended to be on "what I could put out there", but its totally not that anymore! I have received so much more back from blogging than I have given! =)

~ Leah

Tracey Kirksey :

Jill, this is a beautiful post! You've shed some light on a very important subject of judging each other and I love the way the two of you, with different points of view, etc. have found "common ground" in Christ. Beautiful!

So glad to have met you on this blogging journey! Happy 1 year! I think we started about the same time!

*carrie* :

Jill,

Great post! You have shared some wonderful stories lately, and you do so in a very eloquent way.

Keep 'em coming!

Knit-Wit :

What a nice post. Congratulations on keeping this up for whole year!

You must attend a really HUGE church! If I don't meet someone within the first or second services, it's usually my fault for being so distracted.

Janis :

Isn't it just awesome the way God works? I am so enjoying your blog. Thanks for sharing your one year blogiversary with us and your life with us! Blessings to you!

Bev :

I can only imagine what it's going to be like, someday when we're all in heaven, recognizing each other (for we will even if we didn't MIRL here on earth), and sharing hearts. It's going to be great sharing all the stories of how much we encouraged each other. xoox

Meredith :

Jill,
All I can say is - WOW! I am amazed and humbled by what the Lord has done and through our interaction online so long ago and by the way He brought us together to meet yesterday. This post was so generous and thoughtful and I am so thankful that you continue to read my blog, especially since I haven't posted in a while. I am also thankful that you didn't write me off after I was so critical. God is not done with us yet sister! I look forward to getting to know you and your family better. Happy Blogiversary and God bless you!

P.S. This morning I literally told myself, "THIS is the day the Lord has made." I think it's making a difference.

workinthatpreppy :

wow...you write so elequently. thank you for sharing your amazing story. i, too, am blessed by so many friends in my blog world.

Melene :

Thank you so much for sharing this story, these verses and your writing with us on this blog. I'm so glad you are still blogging after a whole year and I hope ou continue for a long time.
Blessings to you.

Lauren@Baseballs&Bows :

What a great story! Thanks for sharing it, and congrats on your blogiversary!

Tammy :

That is an incredible story of overlooking certain differences of opinion and being able to be blessed by others along the way! Thank you so much for sharing this!

I am glad I found you recently...you've already been a blessing to me!

Happy Blogiversary!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality :

Great story, Jill! How neat that you finally got to meet up in person. I visit someone's blog who goes to my church too, although it's so big, I doubt we'll ever meet, but you never know. It ends up being a small world after all (as the old song goes!).

Happy 1 year...I have a long way to go for that, but I sure have enjoyed blogging too. And I'm really glad that I found your blog, you're a joy to know!

Rhoda

Talk..to..Grams :

Your story is a real blessing! Thanks for sharing.

I have only been blogging two months, and what nice bloggers who come to visit me and have a way of making you feel welcome!!

I am so glad you have met your friend in person! Isn't God good!

Vader's Mom :

Such a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing and I'm so very glad you are here :)

melissa :

Such a wonderful, inspiring story.
Congratulations on your blogiversary. I just recently came across your blog and really enjoy it. You are most certainly a blessing to many!

Melissa
http://mcc.typepad.com/mcc_my_guys/
username: mccaligiuri
password: lulubelle

Annie :

Happy anniversary!
You are a blessing Jill, I'm glad I found you in big old blogville!
Thanks for sharing such a sweet story.

Susan :

Happy happy Blogiversary to you. And what a fantastic story you have to share here. Beautiful.

:-) Susan

Bella :

What a wonderful growing experience...isn't it neat how God does things to stretch us...it just His timing?

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe :

Your post was a perfect way to begin your 2nd year.
We all walk, dance, and sing in God's time. Thank you for reminding us of that.

Momma Roar :

An amazing and insightful post - happy blogiversary!! I'm so happy to have come upon your blog!

Lisa M :

Congratulations on your 1 year blogiversary! I have enjoyed reading your blog and especially this post. What a neat story. Thanks for sharing!

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane :

What an amazing story! Happy Blogiversary to you too :)

Sandy :

Jill, wow! That is really powerful. Thank you for sharing and happy blogiversary! I have 3 more months until mine :)
Sandy

Sue :

What a wonderful story. A great way to celebrate your blogiversary.

Jamie :

I enjoy reading your blog.

I love how many people you meet...or bloggermeet....as you may never come face to face with some of those other bloggers.

Keep on a blogging and Congrats!

Shawna :

Oh wow! What a remarkable story! This has really touched me because God is always working in our lives even when we don't realize it. Happy One Year Anniversary!

Jillian Inc. All rights reserved © Blog Milk Powered by Blogger