Gosh, my long response just disappeared into cyberspace. Dang. Anyway, I am with you on this but have no words of wisdom or advice. I feel like I can only share the mundane details of life like what the goats and dogs are doing or post about shopping or what’s for dinner. Because the meaningful things in my life are TOO BIG for public blogging and would hurt those that I love. So I end up not blogging at all or blogging about meaningless things. So I’m stuck, too. Let me know if you arrive at a good compromise.
i can understand why you feel conflicted about this. my thinking (and of course being a teenager was a long time ago, so i could be wrong), is that the things you post about aren’t going to hurt or confuse your younger readers. if anything, the respect they already have for you as a fabulous teacher will grow. the things you struggle with- cussing when you want to keep your speech pure, watching meaningless tv because it’s fun even though you can think of better ways to fill your time, being patient with people who don’t understand chronic illness, having compassion for your grieving m-i-l when you and hugh are still grieving- those are all real issues, that real people struggle with, and there’s not really an age barrier on understanding and relating to them. i think your students and even your colleagues and superiors will respect that you’re honest, and that you admit it when you’re foolish or wrong. repentance is powerful. i say blog on! your transparency sets a beautiful example.
What do YOU want to do? If you wanted, you could turn this blog into an inspirational style blog on living for Christ for the readers, instead of a “journal” style blog. Or you could keep journaling and let the chips fall where they may. I struggle with this at times too, when someone unexpected says “i liked your post the other day.” “What, you read?” But ultimately, I write what I feel. I am writing for God, with the hope that everyone else is blessed.
If there is one thing teenagers appreciate, it is honesty and ‘realness’. Perhaps you are the only adult they know who can give them a glimpse of a real life, warts and all, that is not perfect yet is given over to Jesus. Because in the end, God looks at our hearts, and your heart is inclined towards him, Jess.
I think any teen would be inspired by a life that is lived so honestly.
I have the same problem, btw. Except my students are 6th graders – quite young still so I have to tread even more carefully.
If you figure this one out, could you let me know? Because I realllllly wish I had never told any of my relatives that I have a blog. And I just pray that no one in my church (where my husband is pastor) reads. But I know at least a few of them found it. Actually, when he preached his trial sermon, I got an email that very same night from a girl who said, “Hey, ya’ll are moving to my church and I read your blog.” I FREAKED OUT. So yeah… I have no answers for you, but I share your confusion.
oh, i can relate to this. many of days I wish I never told my mom about my blog : ) for some strange reason I told my Pastor’s wife about it. She shared the link with the entire church staff. Oh, boy.
Gosh, my long response just disappeared into cyberspace. Dang. Anyway, I am with you on this but have no words of wisdom or advice. I feel like I can only share the mundane details of life like what the goats and dogs are doing or post about shopping or what’s for dinner. Because the meaningful things in my life are TOO BIG for public blogging and would hurt those that I love. So I end up not blogging at all or blogging about meaningless things. So I’m stuck, too. Let me know if you arrive at a good compromise.
i can understand why you feel conflicted about this. my thinking (and of course being a teenager was a long time ago, so i could be wrong), is that the things you post about aren’t going to hurt or confuse your younger readers. if anything, the respect they already have for you as a fabulous teacher will grow. the things you struggle with- cussing when you want to keep your speech pure, watching meaningless tv because it’s fun even though you can think of better ways to fill your time, being patient with people who don’t understand chronic illness, having compassion for your grieving m-i-l when you and hugh are still grieving- those are all real issues, that real people struggle with, and there’s not really an age barrier on understanding and relating to them. i think your students and even your colleagues and superiors will respect that you’re honest, and that you admit it when you’re foolish or wrong. repentance is powerful. i say blog on! your transparency sets a beautiful example.
What do YOU want to do? If you wanted, you could turn this blog into an inspirational style blog on living for Christ for the readers, instead of a “journal” style blog. Or you could keep journaling and let the chips fall where they may. I struggle with this at times too, when someone unexpected says “i liked your post the other day.” “What, you read?” But ultimately, I write what I feel. I am writing for God, with the hope that everyone else is blessed.
Do what YOU think is right for YOU.
What is God saying to you regarding this?
If there is one thing teenagers appreciate, it is honesty and ‘realness’. Perhaps you are the only adult they know who can give them a glimpse of a real life, warts and all, that is not perfect yet is given over to Jesus. Because in the end, God looks at our hearts, and your heart is inclined towards him, Jess.
I think any teen would be inspired by a life that is lived so honestly.
I have the same problem, btw. Except my students are 6th graders – quite young still so I have to tread even more carefully.
If you figure this one out, could you let me know? Because I realllllly wish I had never told any of my relatives that I have a blog. And I just pray that no one in my church (where my husband is pastor) reads. But I know at least a few of them found it. Actually, when he preached his trial sermon, I got an email that very same night from a girl who said, “Hey, ya’ll are moving to my church and I read your blog.” I FREAKED OUT. So yeah… I have no answers for you, but I share your confusion.
oh, i can relate to this. many of days I wish I never told my mom about my blog : ) for some strange reason I told my Pastor’s wife about it. She shared the link with the entire church staff. Oh, boy.
hope you find your answer. I say “be yourself”.