Why I blog

I don't think I have ever blogged so consistently and frequently over the years since I started my blog...no not ever. I have often asked myself, "why am I doing this?"..."why take so much time to do something that is often hard and tedious?"

1. It serves me. I have tried to journal and remember all the wonderful things the Lord is doing in this season...but journaling is too hard for me right now. I'm not sure why, but it is. Blogging is easier. And I find that it helps me process my thoughts, and at the same time preach truth to myself...truth that I need to hear.
2. It encourages me. It is not uncommon for me to sit at my computer a number of times a day and go back and read posts of all the Lord is doing in and through this trial. Sometimes I am not sure how I wrote what I did or thought through something like I did...so it encourages me to see sustaining grace at work in my weak life right now.
3. To update others. It has been our desire, from the very beginning of this all, to have others in our lives and walk this road with us because we need them! I want everyone to know where I am, what my struggles are so they can be aware and be better informed.
4. So others can pray. To piggy back on #3, when others are specifically informed, I know they can more specifically pray for us. This seems so selfish, but it's the truth...we desperately need the prayers of others.
5. To hear from others. Although not many have, I love it when others "comment" on my blog. I love to hear from others...those I know and even those I don't know. So, please drop a note, if you'd like. I have been able to connect with some people I've never even met before and it has been a blessing to me.
6. To impart faith. It is in no way our desire to cause anyone to struggle or fear with thoughts of, "what if this or that happened to me?" Instead, we hope that our trial imparts faith that our good, sovereign and merciful Lord does indeed help in time of need. We are living testimonies that He not only helps, but helps abundantly..."The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lam. 3:22-23). We are experiencing the grace that we have only ever heard others in great trials speak of. And we know it's real and felt. It is so true that there is not grace for your imagination. I could NEVER have imagined being able to walk through something like this and the truth is that I am not able, but my God is able to carry me through it...and He is. So, may this impart faith that whatever the Lord calls His children to walk through, He will sustain and help them.
7. To further the gospel. It is my prayer that the Lord will use this difficult time to draw hearts to Himself and that He will save souls. And for those who are believers already, it's my desire and prayer that this blog, as it has for me, will remind us of the gospel and how much we desperately need our Savior, and Him alone, each and every day of our lives.
8. Most importantly, for my girlies (and any future children the Lord would bless us with). This was and is one of the main reasons I started blogging so frequently. My mind is mush right now and I know that even just a year down the road, these initial days are going to be a blur to me. But I want something for my girls to read so they can see how our faithful Lord met their mama...how He sustained her, carried her, and made Himself real to her. I want this trial, as I wrote above, to further gospel purposes in their lives.

...this is why I blog.