I am not a blogger. I am a communicator.
Over the years, the opportunities I’ve been given to communicate have increased and the more important it has become to remember what I am and what I am not.
Once upon a time, I was just a singer and songwriter. Then a wonderful on-line community evolved on my site’s message board and I became a frequent poster too. The board birthed a blog. The blog birthed writing and speaking. All of that experience inspired the creation of Compassion Bloggers. And so for the last few years I’ve stayed busy and very fulfilled – communicating.
I’m a communicator connecting the first world with the third world for the betterment of both. Singing, blogging, writing, speaking and championing a talented army of bloggers using their on-line voices to speak for Compassion International.
Sometimes I can’t do all of this in the same season. Something gives. That doesn’t bother me at all if I remember what I am. When it comes to blogging, sometimes I don’t remember. Instead, I get scared.
Take a break from speaking and I can still speak to a full house at a college a month later. Take a break from singing for a few weeks and people won’t stop booking me (for free). But stop blogging for a week? The audience shrinks dramatically.I forget what I am and I fear… They’ll never come back. Ever. And what will they think of me? And…
But on a good day…
I took a week off from blogging recently because being a communicator had me busy elsewhere. I’ve traveled more than usual lately to communicate from stages. And in-between, I’ve been sick, catching up on family time, home maintenance, meetings, and herding bloggers toward completing their paperwork for Tanzania so we can communicate together on behalf of kids very soon.
It’s not that I didn’t have time to blog in there somewhere but when I sat down to write? The word well was empty. I’ve been communicated and lived out lately. It happens. And that’s not bad. Feels like I’ve been what I am with all that I am. To pull that off and stay sane, I had to stop blogging.
What are you? You’re probably not a blogger. There aren’t many of those. You’re probably a counselor, encourager, teacher, leader, community builder, theologian, organizer, motivator, reformer, activist, creator…who blogs.
You can take a break from the internet and still be what you are. You have our permission.
Jason says:
I’m in a season of finding out who God created me to really be and not live the mask and costume I built for myself. I’m still finding time to blog because I don’t feel He wants me to stop but I do realize if I stop for a week or two I’ll still reach who He wants me to reach when I return.
Kelli says:
I love this because I get scared to step away, too. I’ve been intentionally taking a day or two off lately because if I don’t I start to force material and, inevitably, I ending up writing something I regret.
I’m a writer and a story teller and an editor. Oh, and a wife and a mom and a teacher and a cook and… I’m doing all those things right now in different mediums. Sometimes, though, I have to sacrifice something. I’m always afraid to sacrifice the blog because of fear of losing the audience. But if I neglect the other parts of me then I start to resent the blog. Vicious cycle. I need breaks here and there to maintain a little perspective on life.
I’m glad you were able to give yourself a little breathing room this week. I have missed reading your words, though. Glad to “hear” your voice today. ๐
Jill Foley says:
Love this….I have 4 blogs (probably 3 too many) am taking an intentional break from it all next week and am really looking forward to living like it’s 1992 again.
What am I? A wife, homeschooling mom, violinist, violin teacher, Compassion sponsor and advocate, daughter, sister, friend and more.
Jen says:
Thank you for the reminder….In fact, just last night I had a conversation with one of my “real life” friends about this very thing. Wondering when it got to the point where we feel like every moment of our young children’s lives has to be documented, thematic, with coordinating outfits. Reminding myself that the family blog is just that…the family blog…it’s really just for us. Others just get a snippet of who we really are.
Although, I will say THANK you again for your post last summer about Compassion in the Philippines. My sponsored child and I shared the same birthday last weekend… ๐
Kika@embracingimperfection says:
Thank you for this.
Cooking Up Faith says:
Thank you for your honesty. Recently at church we talked about 7 spiritual gifts which are discussed in Romans 12… Prophecy, Teaching, Mercy, Exhorting (encouraging), Giver, Service, Leadership/Administration.
I blog and love blogging, but I realized that my spiritual gift isn’t to write or blog, but mine is to encourage. My blog is just a tool God has given me that I can use to encourage with. He also gives me a voice that I can share a word of encouragement with at the park. They are all tools which can be used in our spiritual gifts. God is surely working in the tools he has given you as you serve and give to others. I pray you feel His presence as He continues to do good work through you.
Melody Joy King says:
I just figured you were really busy with other things and that’s why we hadn’t heard from you in so long. I am def. not a blogger, more like a nanny/encourager who blogs on occasion. Many blessings to you and yours (and your ministry) brother. You were missed in the good ol’ blogosphere, but those of us who love to “hear” from you aren’t going anywhere. Trust me, I’ve been a follower of Aaron Shust’s blog for a few years now, and he goes months and months without blogging. I still read all of his posts and comment as well. No fair weather friends here. ;0)
Melody Joy King says:
PS: If it makes you feel any better, the last time I posted on my blog was January 22nd. :0P
Zoรซ says:
That’s why I don’t have a blog. And why I no longer have a facebook account. I don’t want to take myself too seriously (an observation of myself, not a comment on anyone else).
I don’t know who I am. I used to be a false me, created by the wickedness of others.
I’m not sure if I really want to know, though, or to have any label. It’s kind of fun just *being*. And knowing I am loved. For so many years I didn’t know that.
I’m ‘officially’ a mature student, a wife, a mother and a member of the chaplaincy team. Every month I sing to (at) old people in a care home – and I smile. Smiling is very important. They seem to enjoy the smiling as much as the singing. I’ve also very much enjoyed speaking in church these past two weeks. Oh and I’m a Compassion Advocate, which is something I really get worked up about.
Yet often when I start to identify myself by the world’s standards it makes me sad (including some Christians – they can be the worst of all, on occasion). But sometimes I can’t help myself ๐
When I stop and allow myself to think about God, to just acknowledge his presence in all things – I feel happy. And I am just me. No labels. Just Zoรซ.
p.s. I always reckon if there’s a break from your blog that you’re busy with that thing they call ‘real life’. But I really, really enjoy your blog posts. They’re worth waiting for. ๐
Melissa Jones says:
I pretty much walked away from my blog a while ago. There were just too many “real life” things that needed to be done and enjoyed RIGHT NOW, and while the blog for a while was a great way to keep track of life events, when one kid became two and two became three, there just wasn’t time. And I was ok with that.
Of course, it’s WAY easier to walk away when no one reads your blog in the first place! ๐
FzxGkJssFrk says:
Good reminder.
Thank you.
nancytyler says:
I’m glad you posted on Facebook while you took your blog break. You know I’ll hunt you down if I don’t see you posting somewhere online for a week. ๐
As for me, I’m not sure that I have enough worthwhile to say or could gather up the discipline it would take to consistently write blog entries several times a week during my current season of life. The pressure I’d put on myself would be overwhelming!
MainlineMom aka Sarah says:
Hm…this resonates. When I am wrestling with something big that I can’t write about yet, which I am now, my word well often dries up too. I just don’t have the heart to write about things that seem completely secondary to the thing that is consuming my thoughts every minute of the day. But when I don’t blog even for a day or two I feel guilt and my audience shrinks and I kinda freak a little. Usually I just have to remind myself of how little it matters.
But if I’m not a blogger…what am I? Not sure. Adoption advocate? Encourager? I’m at a loss.
Carly says:
I’m a daughter of God. That’s it. ๐
Thomas says:
I know this might sound strange, but I never thought of you as a blogger. I just thought this break you are on is a result of you taking care of more important things to do like family time and the upcoming compassion trip. I figured if God put something in your heart to share with us during this time you would.
What am I: I am just a bum who needs Godโs love and forgiveness.
CariK says:
Shaun Groves, I think I might just love you!
Thank you so much for this post…I’m stealing it to repost wherever I can find people to listen…
Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for permission to step back/away. Thank you for acknowledging the fear…and thank you most of all for the reminder that I am not a blogger either…I am a relationship builder, a teacher and an exhorter….
Grace Cho says:
us readers are still here! i haven’t clicked on your blog in a while, but you’re on my reader and i’ve been reading!
glad you’re spending time doing other great things!
QuatroMama says:
Sometimes we still need to hear that permission…so thank you.
Laura says:
Thanks for the honesty and permission to take a break from words for a season. I’ll be back to read your posts, even if you’re gone for a month. CAN’T WAIT to read about Tanzania. I just got back from an Ethiopia blogging trip. LOVED IT. ๐ I don’t have a huge readership, but I would love to blog with Compassion someday. I’ll keep learning the ropes in the meantime.
Lindy says:
I just check in periodically—love your Blog, but figured you were busy living life. Glad you are feeling better. By the way, I’m a wife, caregiver, mom, grandma, Compassion sponsor, etc. Never started a Blog–too busy, and not sure anyone would read it:)
rjb says:
Thank you for this!! I have been feeling the direction to write more and possibly publicly, but hesitated to start a blog because I didn’t feel like a “being a blogger” fit me – However, communicating and writing DO resonate with me, calling and dream-wise. I think this post helped me think about the idea in a new way. Thank you again!
Kathi says:
I just recently started blogging again and after only about two weeks I found myself having to pull back and ask myself these same questions.
I would like to blog, but even before this, I am a mommy who believes in community and in the truth that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony, however that is lived.
shayne says:
Awesome. Understood. But I did miss you while you were away.
Kit says:
I’m glad you take internet breaks. It makes you “real,” and it reminds me I should step away from the computer more too ๐
Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home says:
I’m an encourager and teacher . . . who blogs. ๐
deborah says:
So true! Great perspective!
I enjoy blogging but haven’t had much time recently. we just moved and are in the process of doing some remodeling. Throw in wife, mother and schoolteacher and well, there’s usually something needing attention!
I enjoy technology and the internet and the connectedness, but I do have to just step back sometimes and remind myself that I have other things that are #1!
christine says:
I’m a reader and a listener, and not a blogger. Grateful for the internet and the opportunity it gives to glimpse into how grace works out in the lives of others. Happy communicating Shaun in the weeks ahead.
Keya says:
Such food for thought. I’m a person who communicates what’s in her heart. Doing what I feel like I’m called to do in this season of life. I do this through writing, through teaching and through being a parent and wife. Thanks for reminding us to think about who we really are.
Farm Mom says:
Thank you so much for posting this piece! I really needed to hear that today. Some days I feel like I am not much of anything … just a mom who has failed at a *lot* of other jobs. Like you I really need to just focus on using my strengths to further His Kingdom and not focus so much on what I call myself ๐
Heather Boersma says:
I love this. I’ve been listening to Chris Caine’s latest podcasts and they’ve really be challenging me to make sure I’m not just TALKING/blogging/writing about the Christian life but actually LIVING the Christian life (serving, getting my hands dirty, looking after the orphans and widows). It’s been a huge challenge and is something I’m working on for sure.