I have been a blogger for a pretty long time. I have witnessed the Kaycee Nicole Scam, The Pepe/Gina CF Scam and now the April Rose debacle.
I have seen the ugly side of blogging, more than I care to mention.
But what keeps me coming back? What keeps me from throwing in the towel, closing my website down and moving to Alaska where nobody knows me?
That’s easy… The great side of the interweb.
The supportive side of all of the christian and non christian blogger’s who I have come to know online (and some off). The caring individuals who helped raise money for my trip to Mayo. The countless people who prayed for me during and after my surgery.
I have seen the interweb come together for Kelli and the money we all raised for her, thanks again because of Boomama.
I have witnessed more good than evil, even in my own personal drama on the web… I came out a better person because of it.
I balance my online life with reality. I do not place all of my self worth on what this blog (or its readers) think about me as a person. I write when I want to write, and when I dont… I dont.
In other words.. I have tried to balance that life with the popularity that this blog brought me.
If the interweb has taught me anything in the last 7+ years that I have been on it… it would be Guard your heart and put on your thick skin, because there are people out there who would love nothing more than to tear you apart. There are those out there who will prey on your sympathy, compassion and good nature.
But there are also those who are geniune, loving and truly in need. There are those who are really hurting. Do I wish I had never been invested in any of the scams listed above?
Absolutely Not.
Each of them taught me a valuable lesson. Each of them brought together people who prayed like there was no tomorrow.
Each of them needed our prayers.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
You are right, Heather. It is good. And I have been hurt…but I get back up and keep on ahead. May I say how thankful I am to be writing to you and knowing how God has done such miracles before my eyes in caring for you and yours? Jesus is good. And it is worth it to keep on sharing what He does! You tell of His fame well…
Much Love!!
Holly @ Crownlaiddowns last blog post..FOUR Giveaways from Zonderkidz
I agree with you Heather and for every bad apple out there, there are so many more good blogs that need our prayers. Yours has always been one of mine and you have much to offer. I am praying for all involved on the latest one. So sad really. Have a wonderful weekend with your great family.
Love and Hugs, Laurie :heart:
Amen, Heather. Amen.
We have been blessed by all the love, the friendships that have started (like ours) and the support (in all forms) that came from a simple question 3 years ago, from a long lost friend : “Hey, do you have a blog of something I Can follow?”.
The next day, Living in Grace was born. And we haven’t looked back yet.
Yes. I have considered closing it at times- but more out of laziness on my part than anything. I can’t imagine it now,. though.
You have very valid points. Both on the good and the bad side of things.
And I love you for your perspective. And your friendship.
Kelli @Living In Graces last blog post..Thank you
So well said (as always!). There is so much goodness out there, and when these ugly things happen we need to keep a balance.
janmary, n. irelands last blog post..The BIG reveal – THE kitchen makeover
Hello, dear friend…
I’ve been keeping tabs on your blog for a long time…since just before you found out you had a tumor. You have been an encouragement to me, and I praise the Lord for what He has done for you. Lately, I’ve been watching a friend of the family, a young man who has broken his neck, and is paralized from the chest down. He and his family are such a blessing, and I thought of you when I read this statement, and it reminded me of you as you sang hymns before you could speak…
‘…Connor is singing hynms… he can’t move a muscle yet he finds it within himself to sing hymns!’
I wonder, dear friend, if you would also like to watch and pray for Connor as he goes through these tough times?
http://www.connorwatch.org/
Praying for you,
a friend in California –
Chrissie
I am one of a dozen moderators of an online group for the parents of kids with brain tumors. The group has over 1000 members from all over the world.
In the 6 years I’ve been doing this, we’ve had a number of fakers. It is always surprising to me that someone would endeavor to pretend they have a seriously ill child, when the experience of having one is so intense as to eclipse everything else in one’s life, I know you know this.
It’s a moderated group and we screen new members, but we don’t have the time, resources, or even the inclination to insist on absolute verification of everyone who joins. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut and if there is a doubt, we usually give the benefit of that doubt to the person who wants to join.
The fact that people will lie to become part of our community, the community that nobody would want to be a member of, points to the deficits in their lives.
So I pray for them. As you’ve pointed out, the good outweighs the bad. During my son’s diagnosis and subsequent treatment, we experienced both the most hurtful and the most amazingly supportive acts of kindness. And the good most definitely outweighed the bad.
Most people are good and I believe we are called to reach out to them. And sometimes we might judge someone wrongly, we might trust someone who turns out to be untrustworthy, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have put ourselves out there.
Or so I believe. Hang in there, Heather.
Kathys last blog post..Kyra, the Swine Flu, and the Dramatization of Disease
What a beautiful post, and I needed to hear/read it right now! *THANK YOU!* for helping me to renew my perspective~you’re God’s BEST! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
(((((HUGS))))) sandis last blog post..Prayer Monday
Heather, I have been inspired by your blog off and on *I think* since after your Mayo visit? I had never read your full cancer story though nor had I read about Emma, and as I sit here in tears I am IN AWE of you as a Mama and as a Christian. GOD BLESS YOU, GIRL! I have prayed for you before, but OH is it an honor to go deeper. I am so thankful for this day, that my SIL has the children and I had the time to really, really read here. Y’all will always be on my heart! (((((HUGS))))) sandi
(((((HUGS))))) sandis last blog post..Prayer Monday
And you would be one of those amazing people who have reached out with love to a lot of us on the interweb.
This is one of the reasons why, as much as possible, I started to blog in general. I did a blog one time in xanga and was telling about my mom’s current state, she has cancer on both breasts. One audience thought that I’m scamming, when in fact I wasn’t even asking anyone for money. All three of us sisters are working and my step-father is in the US Army. I really hated it at the time when that one guy spammed me and my email even inviting some of his friends too. But then, I just resorted to praying for the guy. I don’t know what happened to him though, but I also learned that forgiveness is powerful in a life of a person, I realized a lot of things about me and my walk in Christ.
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