Yesterday, I got up and felt on top of the world...until I read something someone wrote to me. It was filled with anger. Have you ever unknowingly done something so thoughtless that you unwittingly upset others? It is hard to examine choices one makes and realize that you made a mistake but that is what I did yesterday. My first reaction was to strike back in anger at the unkind words but then I realized that I wasn't blameless. My thoughtless actions had consequences. I suppose you are wondering what I did.
I have been blogging for all of two months. I got as excited about it as a kid riding a bike without training wheels for the first time as I started to chronicle my days as a teacher. You could compare my enthusiasm to that of a kid in a candy store when it came to sharing my funny or sad stories about my teaching years with others. I started to get followers which was even more exciting! People actually wanted to read what I wrote. But then, I got greedy. I wanted more people to read my blog so I wrote a message last week on other blogs saying that if a person would be interested in following my blog, I would gladly follow their blog back. I got a lot of followers that way so I did it again this week.
Now comes the part of this post that is hard to own up to. I got another message later in the day yesterday from a sister in Christ. She kindly but purposefully pointed out to me how thoughtless I had been by posting that message. I hadn't bothered to read anything about her but instead had just left that message. I felt like God was telling me to go back and read her blog so I did. Here was a lovely woman who is suffering from a rare neurovascular disease that has left her disabled yet she praises God and is thankful for her blessings. She blogs about her lovely daughter, her sweet and supportive close-knit family, and her daily struggles with unrelenting pain. Despite this pain, she has a beautiful spirit to match her physical beauty. Not wanting the good work God can do through me to be hindered by my thoughtlessness, I bowed my head and asked God to forgive me for using such poor judgment and for being selfish. Then I wrote to both people and apologized. I am thankful for the lesson I learned yesterday despite the pain that it caused me.
Its hard to admit that we make mistakes but I am so thankful that God is so forgiving. I wish each and every one of you that reads this a very blessed day.
Thou, O Lord, Art A God Full of Compassion, and Gracious....Psalm 86:15
What a tender post. We have all been guilty of this in one way or another. You are amazing!
It isn't easy to admit we are wrong and allow ourselves to be both humbled and taught. Blogging is wonderful but all good things can turn to bad if we allow pride and greed to set in.
Keep blogging in faith and keep your eyes on Him and not on the number of followers you have.
Ouch. What a painful lesson to learn. But, it sounds like you did what you could to make it right.
This too shall pass.
I wouldn't beat myself up to badly. People leave messages all of the time who are on the Friday Follow just like your message on my blog. I don't think they even read my blog. They just leave a message saying that 1) I will follow you if you follow me, or 2) I am now following you, please follow me back. It is a rare thing when they indicate that they have actually taken the time to read ANYTHING that I have posted. I think it is wonderful that you went back and apologized to this woman. It is better still that you posted this blog. People, IMO, are too caught up in how many followers they have and whatnot. I would rather have 20 followers who actually read my blog than 200 followers who don't. But that's just me.
Wow, what a powerful story, thanks for sharing that with us, also I wanted to thank you for checking out my blog from the friday-followup, i am an official follower of your wonderful blog
Reed-superbudgetpower.blogspot.com
Well that's just crummy.
Hey, First Grade teacher here. Kinda "veteran" in that I am in m 6th year. When do you become veteran? Love your blog... reminds me so much of stuff that happens to me, especially show and tell and the like. I may have to visit again.
I remember when I first started blogging and how excited I was to see others respond to my post!!!
Remember that you are human...I am sure you were not being selfish....and please do not be so hard on yourself!!!!
Enjoy the blogging experience and the wonderful and supportive people that you come in contact with!! I have several friends that I have met through my Blog...and we now talk on the telephone and share in one anothers lives!!! God is Good....have a Blessed Day!!!
OK, wow, that is humbling. I used to do the Friday Follows and then I stopped because that's exactly what it felt like. A hit and run. If I do read a SITS post I try and read the whole thing and only comment if it interests me.
But, don't beat yourself up.
I think we all do that...it's the numbers thing...
You have a great blog...and really have amazing content.
Keep visiting and commenting and your followers will build up!
Thanks for being so candid about what happened to you.
I'm not sure how I escaped that but I would have felt bad, too.
Hugs!
Ah, the growth you've just gained. Don't you love/hate it when God has to teach us a lesson. I'm inspired by your willingness to learn.
Thanks for sharing.
Dear Purseblogger,
I am human. Thank goodness God is forgiving!
Very good advice Karin Katherine,
Blessings to you sweet lady. Thanks for your comment. You are so right!!
Thanks Shell,
I appreciate your comment.
Robin,
You are absolutely right. I agree with you and have learned my lesson. Thanks for your comment.
Ms. A,
I wish you lived closer! I would love to take you to lunch! Isn't it funny how you can feel close to someone in the blogging community that you have never met.
Blessings!
Cheeseboy dear,
That's a good question. Thirty-four years seems like a long time but then, time goes by so quickly. If I can ever share any lesson plans, etc. with you, please let me know. I am happy to do so.
Blessings
Thanks for your comment Jocelyn!! Blessings to you. I am beginning to get quite attached to some of the bloggers I have come in contact with so I know what you mean about that!
Wecome to the blog world! I'm found you through the Friday Follow also. However I feel it is fare to say, I did read your blog post and took a look around. You'll find some great friends in the blog world. Lesson learned! Hop on over to read me! (I think everyone needs a few money saving tips!)
You are a kind, caring and amazing woman! Your Psalm verse was perfectly selected for this post! Blessing my friend, blessings to you!
Thanks Jenny,
I appreciate your kind words. I truly don't want to be a hit and run...lol. I am not going to dwell on it. I have done what I needed to do for my peace of mind. Blessings and have a great week-end
So very true Lauri. It is hard to grow at times though....for me anyway. And here I am a veteran!
Thanks Super Budget Power,
I appreciate the follow and your comment. Have a blessed week-end.
Ok you may find this strange but it is true. First off, I love you, you are a good person, awesome heart, and we have all made some blogging mistakes. I did see your messages and I thought wow you are really working it out there...but how do we have time to truly read all these blogs? We don't and I can barely keep up with my current comments. I have joined those blog hops...in fact I think that is how I found your blog. I honestly, let them come to me, and if we work out, we work out...but I can't go seeking anymore, just for what you noted...we all want to be heard or display our talents in some sort of way...that is why we are here.....you have an awesome following. I am sure this dear woman forgave you....you are a really great person!!~ And don't beat yourself up, we are all guilty of that very same scenario. I actually chuckle now, I have had it happen on my blog....a comment like cool stuff....I was not even showing stuff, it was a story to share, and it clearly was not read...oh well!~
I have never heard of blog hops and don't understand much about them. You feel you have made a mistake, you have apologized and now can move forward....I'm trying to figure out how you could leave a comment if you hadn't read her post.....maybe I am just thick, anyway be happy and please keep blogging....love your post...Hugs
It's good that you figured out your mistake and owned up to it in such a public way.
I follow more blogs than I can comment on daily. If someone comments on my blog, I comment on theirs. And I also try to comment on a bunch of others + a few new blogs everyday.
If I get a comment that's just related to following that person's blog, but has nothing to do with a my post, then I just ignore it, but I'm not offended. So don't be so hard on yourself.
It takes a brave woman to admit a mistake, and even braver to go back and ask forgiveness. You have a good heart. Blessings, Rosemary
*hugs to you my blogging buddy* I have lately gotten caught up in the "numbers" of this blogging thing. But like your other comments have stated I much prefer the followers who actually comment on my blog. I mean really isn't that the reason we are writing?! To get comments and touch people somehow?
*hugs you again* Thanks for teaching ALL of us a lesson with this post :)
Wow.... that was so amazing to read. Admitting you are wrong or have made a mistake can sometimes (usually) be one of the hardest things to do. This is by far the best "owning it" I have ever seen. Humbling and heart warming and although I was not involved in the events leading up to this - I appreciate it and your raw honesty.
I love your blog!!
You are a kind and caring person and we know you did not mean for things like this to happen. Like others have said above don't beat yourself up over this. We all make mistakes, we apologize and move on.
I have been doing the blog hop for a few weeks now and have found some incredible blogs, yours included. I read posts on a new blog and let it be known in the comment. My problems is I sometimes get behind on comments. I'm not ignoring anyone I just get busy and don't have time to get on the computer everyday.
We do the best we can, there is nothing else we can do.
VKT,
You continue to amaze me. You really are loving and caring soul. You are touching the lives of many through your blog...keep it up!
BTW, I've tried to grab your button many times and post it on my page and have not had luck for some reason...but I'll keep trying. I wonder if I have some security settings that I have to figure out...have trouble leaving comments sometimes too.
God bless...Dustine
I love to blog and do reviews and giveaways also. I love my pictures that I put on my blog too. If someone wants to come back and visit me that's fine. If they never come back that's fine too. I never worry about how many followers I have. I just worry about how I keep my followers coming back for more great fun and great laughs. When I do visit people's blog pages I absolutely do read and look at their blog. HAVE A BLESS SUNDAY!!!
Gina
motherof1princessand2princes.blogspot.com
We're all selfish at some point in our lives. It's human. Human nature is to sin. I'm not saying that excuses us....just saying try not to beat yourself up about it too much. We ALL make mistakes. (I'm an expert in that department!)
All I can say is, Lesson Learned. Just enjoy the blogging experience because there are alot of nice and happy people out there.
You do have wonderful stories and advice to share. It is there loss.
wow, what an incredible lesson. i really appreciate you sharing your story. thank you!
xoxo, juliette
Don't be so hard on yourself. I think they were a little harsh with their message to you. Just because you had not checkout out her sight yet, doesn't mean you wouldn't have eventually!
You are human - and obviously a kind and caring one! :)
What a beautiful post! On a side note, I don't think you did anything wrong though. That's just my two cents! XOXO
I'm your newest follower. I have a son in kindergarten so I am really looking forward to following your blog.
I can't believe you've only been blogging for 2 months! You gained a lot of followers FAST.You get more comments per post than I have followers and I've been blogging for 2 years. Great job!
What a great post! I am truly impressed that you are so willing to listen to God, and act on His voice...and say sorry as well...even though I am sure your intent wasn't hurtful...I actually agree with your Christian friend...I tend to ignore others who say "come follow me and I will follow you back.." If someone follows me, I hope it is because they are interested in me, or something they see on my blog...but I also agree with you that it is exciting to see new followers... Thanks for sharing...Have a great day! :)
I think you have to chalk this up to a miscommunication. For better or worse, blog hops like Friday Follow, are generally more about getting more followers and less about finding followers who are genuinely interested in your blog. Lots of people post generic "please follow me back" messages and don't actually read your blog, but that's kind of an implicit part of blog hops. Plus there are times when you find a blog you really like through a blog hop (I think that's how I found your blog!). WIthout knowing all of the details, it sounds like the blogger overreacted. Next time, maybe you'll think about whether to post a generic message, but I wouldn't let yourself get too upset about it--though it does say a lot about your character that you are apologizing about this!
Hi!
This post was what I needed to hear.
I did something yesterday that hurt one of my sisters in Christ- and so, as I read this post, I recalled how I felt once I knew that I had hurt her.
I couldn't have crawled under the table more quickly.
I couldn't apologize enough.
And once I did, she prayed for ME! I couldn't believe it.
She could tell that I had been agitated lately, and forgave me quickly.
Wow.
Then I had to forgive myself.
I hope you will forgive yourself, too.
And I am going to follow you because I want to, I love REAL hearts.
Like James 5:16 says:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
And had you not stopped by my home, I wouldn't have been reminded again today, through you, that I am still forgiven as much today as I was yesterday.
Blessings as you make you home today!
The pure in hear shall see God...in every situation. I have learned too that the blogosphere is a virtual world but a world none the less with virtual rules of etiquette, too. Some people do take their blogs posts quite personally. It is almost like one is being invited into their home.
I appreciate you post. Your heart really shows you care...
no matter what age the person is.
Have a blessed day. :)
Maybe I missed something but I really am not sure I see what you did that deserves forgiveness. I think I found your blog because you left a comment on my blog. I love opportunities like this because I feel like it opens up a door for me. Then I can choose to follow that blog or not but it is my choice and no one is forcing me to do anything. I am so glad I found your blog (through your comment on mine) because I really enjoy reading it. If you hadn't taken that risk of leaving a comment for me, I might not have ever found you! Thank you for all that you do!
God says we have to forgive thsoe who hurt us at least 7 x 70 a day! :)
Praise our forgiving God!
wow I wonder how she knew you didn't read her post?
Lovely post! It is hard to admit when you're wrong but it makes you a better person!
Have a great day!!
Meg
I have to agree. I prefer to see honest comments on the actual post, rather than the stock, "great post. Come follow me."
Comments are for discussion, not gratification.
Nicely said. You and I found - and followed - each other just recently and I'm so glad. I really enjoy your stories and all that you have to share. Don't beat yourself up ... just keep writing!