We ride through the Pennsylvania trees on our way to the Relevant conference – two and half hours of open road and autumn miles — mere appetizers for girl talk; we can’t wait to dig in.
I ask her about writing – about her voice and what it sounds like this last semester of college. She asks me about social media and the public conversation that is a place like Twitter and how’s a girl to feel heard when she’s not comfortable shouting in a room full of strangers.
I know farmer’s wives and brave authors who feel just the same way.
Sometimes it’s hard to know when to speak and when to listen. Sometimes it’s even harder to speak when you think no one’s listening.
And when we pass the big grain silo and the barn with red paint peeling raw against the cornfield horizon, she asks if her voice matters. If there are only one or two who come to see what she’s sharing at her blog, is hitting publish still important?
This question scratches at me too.
And I’ll be asking and answering and sharing ideas about it on Saturday. But for now as we weave our way toward Harrisburg, I think about how social media gives us powerful ways to build, to connect, to give. How it hands us new and wonderful ways to live that old and grand command to love our neighbors as ourselves.
It is a dead end to pursue social media in the hopes of building more followers. Numbers are a house of sand, washed easily away on a whim.
But to build community – to build a place rich with the stories and faces and hopes and dreams of others – to build for them, that is rock solid foundation for the only Message that matters.
I tell her, perhaps it’s not about who doesn’t come to read, it’s about who does. And are we prepared for them? What will we feed the hungry who pull up chairs to our blog table?
Forget the hundreds you wish would come; feed the hungry who are already there.
Feed them your best. Lay out your story and your life and your generous love for them. Perhaps our blogs are only as big as our hospitality. Because platforms can be lonely and spotlights too bright, but no one ever felt unwelcome in that overstuffed armchair pulled up by the fire, with feet up on the coffee table, and a good friend telling you it’s OK to be you.
Perhaps less is more in the comment box just like it is in life. Especially if it gives you time to respond, to encourage, to enjoy the company and conversation of comments for what they really are – people with stories as thick and dog-eared as your own.
One on one, we don’t need to shout. The room isn’t crowded. And truth spills out when you hit publish – even at a whisper.
by Lisa-Jo, lover of social media and believer that it’s great power can be harnessed for great good.
{Photos by the incomparable Dawn Camp}
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says
Awesome, truth-filled, encouraging post, Lisa-Jo. Have a great time at the Relevant conference…and as my hubby would tell me, be blessed to be a blessing.
kendal says
i love this: “Forget the hundreds you wish would come; feed the hungry who are already there.” so easy to judge myself based on numbers instead of listening to christ who is the reason i write. when he says share this. share.
Kim says
Always a great attitude check when I read your posts. It can be so easy to be pulled away from our writing from not feeling good enough or popular enough, so I really appreciate the reminder to feed who is there.
Praying for Relevant and all you gals to connect and refresh.
Amy Hunt says
Oh, friend–I love this truth! Small is purposeful, too. It allows space to breathe and remember quality matters. I’m always amazed at how a message I’m led to write is specifically picked out for a heart for me to connect with. Community, yes!
Maureen says
I am a brand new Blogger, convinced He has called me to the writing table to share the gospel. Your encouragement is amazingly timely and appreciated to me! It is an act of faith and obedience to ‘cast your seed upon the wind’ and trust that God will bring the harvest when and where He will. It humbles me to have an opportunity to work in these fields with others like you. You ‘in’ courage me! Maybe, someday, I’ll get to meet you…!
Tori says
Exactly the encouragement I needed today, Lisa-Jo! Thank you.
Nikole Hahn says
“but no one ever felt unwelcome in that overstuffed armchair pulled up by the fire, with feet up on the coffee table, and a good friend telling you it’s OK to be you.”
Amen! We’d be no better than spammers if our goal was only numbers.
wanda says
Just what I needed today! Thank you, Lisa Jo.
Harmony says
THANK YOU For this post!! I have just opening up on my blog more and sharing my poetry and deeper feelings and thoughts that the Lord has pressed upon my heart. I just do it to share it, but sometimes I am disappointed if people aren’t looking at it or commenting on it. Maybe I just need to focus on sharing in the hopes it touches one person. Thank you again!!
jeannette says
thank you so much for this very inspiring and enlightening post. as i am new in blogging, i get frustrated when no one reads my blog or when i get a few comments. makes me fees that my writing is not good enough. but this line struck me……”Perhaps less is more in the comment box just like it is in life.”
it was nice meeting you here lisa jo….God bless you more!
Lindsey van Niekerk says
Love!
See you soon! yay!
The Frazzled Mom - Cathy says
I love – “Because platforms can be lonely and spotlights too bright, but no one ever felt unwelcome in that overstuffed armchair pulled up by the fire, with feet up on the coffee table.”- What a nice picture!
And “Perhaps less is more in the comment box just like it is in life.” So true.
I used to live in Philadelphia for about 3 1/2 years from ’91-’94. My first child was born there. As a native Southerner, I though I would hate it. But the people were spectacular once you got to know them. I did hate the weather though! I’m used to early Springs!
Thanks for your always lovely insight!
Christy says
This is so great Lisa-Jo. Thanks for this. So timely for me, and encouraging. 🙂
Linda says
For some reason I am trying to hold back the tears as I read this. It is so exactly what I needed for my heart today – so exactly.
Thank you for being faithful to the call He has placed on your life Lisa-Jo. You most definitely minister to this one.
Sarah says
Lisa-Jo thank you for sharing your story. I am so often encouraged by your words and insight and surprised by how much I need to “hear” them. Tears tend to freely flow as my heart is touched by someone I’ve never met but so aptly speaks into my life.
Thank you doesn’t seem to cut it but know I am eating well and my heart is nourished.
Leigh Kay says
Wow…just wow. I know I won’t be the only voice to echo appreciation for your distinct, soothing words. I know that you could have chosen thousands of other syllables to fill the spaces of this post today. Yet what you said was intentional. Specific. A balm from the Spirit to reach crackling, bare hearts. Thank you Lisa-Jo. And please pass my gratitude to Hilary, whom with your help, I will now be following and hoping to encourage.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Hey Leigh,
Yes – Hilary is a gem and a gifted writer – so glad I could introduce you to her. She’s absolutely worth the follow!
Sharon O says
It is hard to know when one is writing a blog how to think about it, I write and push publish and occasionally check the stats and for the last 4 weeks it has been zero. At first I thought blogger was having problems it seemed like it was not giving all information. How could over a hundred readers be zero? I can’t let it concern me, as Ann has written, we write for one and if in the process someone is blessed and encouraged than that is all we need. Have a wonderful time at Relevant someday I will be there too.
Kim says
That’s where I want my blog to go. I’m working on a new project to launch at the beginning of the year that hope does that for our community – offers a place – a community within the community – where stories of hope, stories of courage, stories of compassion, stories of gratitude can be shared. It’s so easy to forget to thank the people who make us who we are and shape us. I want this project to do just that.
This post gives me hope that I can do just that. Thanks.
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says
Very encouraging! Thank you!
I was just chatting about how the blog world can seem discouraging when conversations tend to be one way.
Ashley Pichea says
You just spoke truth to my heart. Thank you!
Katharine says
Praying for Relevant this weekend… Know that those of us who had to stay, are standing with you in Spirit and praying that one of these years we will stand beside you in Pennsylvania…
Blessings on your weekend!
Kris says
These are the exact words I needed to hear! Can’t wait to meet you AND Hilary this evening at Relevant. Loved this, Lisa-Jo!!
Brittany@faithinbetween says
Such truth & encouragement here this morning, Lisa-Jo. Thank you.
Elizabeth says
I will add my gratitude to those who wrote before: Thank you. Thank you for the beautiful way of encouraging us to write what God asks us to write…because one person is just as important to Him as one thousand, and if God wants just one person to read what we have written, well, then, that is enough.
Lynnea says
Thank you so much for this. It is so hard to remember and so necessary, that our vein ambitions of being heard become less and less, but our desire to be used by God, even invisibly, become more and more.
Barbie says
Such encouraging words today. I remember those days when no one visited my blog, and still I kept going. I get several comments a day now but still I continue. I blog for the one who’s life might be changed due to something I write. I blog for those who come. I am been very purposeful in building a community through blogging. I am blessed to be able to encourage women in this way.
Connie, the daisyhead says
Absolutely true. It can be hard to put yourself out there in the blogging and social media world. We often wonder if anyone hears us or likes us. However, we also need to remember that the community we are trying to create in our space should go both ways. We need to write what God puts on our hearts in hopes of helping someone else, but we also need to be mindful to leave a comment for our fellow writers. We may be encouraging a writer who God really wants to use mightily~ someone who may give up on that call without encouragement.
Isn’t it beautiful how God put us in community with one another? None of us has to stand alone.
ibebetter says
Makes me want to keep writing, even though it seems no one is reading. But my stories are tumbling through my head and into my soul and then out through my quickly-typing fingers. And if they reach no one, well, at least I have shared and opened myself to a world of readers should they ever want to share in return.
Rachel Lundy says
What wonderful encouragement, Lisa-Jo. Thank you! I love this part:
“I tell her, perhaps it’s not about who doesn’t come to read, it’s about who does. And are we prepared for them? What will we feed the hungry who pull up chairs to our blog table?
Forget the hundreds you wish would come; feed the hungry who are already there.”
Amy Pitman says
Thanks for the encouragement! I have been feeling like I am doing something wrong since I don’t have gobs of followers. Thanks for reminding me that it’s about quality, not quantity.
Gloria says
This post was awesome. What powerful words.
This passage really spoke to me “I tell her, perhaps it’s not about who doesn’t come to read, it’s about who does. And are we prepared for them? What will we feed the hungry who pull up chairs to our blog table?
Forget the hundreds you wish would come; feed the hungry who are already there.”
Wow! That spoke volumes and really ministered to me today. Help me to pursue God that He may feed me so that I may share with others. May my post not be empty words but rather the words that God desires me to share.
Thank you so much.
journeytoepiphany says
This is so “Relevant” There are days, when I wonder if this is what I am to do at this time in my life. But then, what else would I do? Blogging/writing is what is in my hand to do at the moment, until the next project that shows up on my door. and so I speak. Perhaps to no one, but I speak. And I try to believe that there is purpose in the hours of work. and so I empty myself. Until He fills me again.
Stephanie says
How is it, Lisa-Jo, that you always have the right words at the exact right time? You are so “in”couraging and have a point-of-view that is reassuring and easy. I have been struggling with how to continue my own blog…my desire is there, and so are tons of ideas. But there is also uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt. Thank you for being the boost I needed today! Peace and blessings to you always!
Tracey Padgett says
Lisa-Jo you are soooo right. God’s word tells us that he left the 99 to find the 1. The 1 matters. God give us words to share. And He leads those that need to hear, to our words. Thankful that He led me to your(His) words today.
Clover Willison says
Well, I had so much to say in response to your post……..but then I stopped, pulled up a chair, grabbed my coffee and read. It has all been said, I echo the same sentiments of many of the other “commenters”. I thought, well no sense in commenting at all, but I realized I still wanted to say THANK YOU, thank you. I was just gently reminded that I am not alone, my feelings are not unique, and that we are all in this together. Cheers.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh Clover, you made me smile! 🙂 And I’m so glad you left a comment anyways even if you felt it had all been said – because it hadn’t been said by you and each voice is unique and fellowship is always better when shared. So I’m so glad you put your feet up and joined the jabber here 🙂
Karen says
I am not a blogger, but do teach bible study and found myself discouraged from the number of ladies who kept notifying me that they would NOT be attending today! This and time on my knees helped shift my perspective away from those who would NOT be there to those who WOULD! THANKS!!!
Reese says
Great words, Lisa-jo. I am praying for you and all the other ladies and gents who are attending the Relevent Conference…. I pray the more seasoned girls take the “girls in the corner” under their wing and give them the push they are waiting for. 🙂
Kathy C. @ In Quiet Places says
I can tell you that I am not as into all the social media as many are, but I thoroughly enjoy being part of the online community of believers. I am not on FB or Twitter, and I turned my blog into a format that works better for me than the traditional blog format, but this is how God led me as a writer. I love the diversity He allows us as we all explore this whole new world of technology that is now a way of life to the younger generation and a more of a challenge to the older ones such as myself! It is definitely a tool we can all use for His good and to bless those around us, however we fit into the social media picture.
I think In Courage has definitely found a good balance as you use social media the way you do, but you also encourage us to keep those real life relationships going on around us also. It seems we can have the best of both worlds!
Lindsay says
So true and so encouraging. As a good friend reminds me … we must be faithful in the sphere of influence he has given us whether it is 5 or 5,000.
Maureen says
Excellent, excellent words, changes the focus to what it should be, with astute illustrations to building on sand or rock hard foundations of love. Thank you! I needed to hear this.
Sabrina says
Thanks for this post. It’s more important to let God use me as He sees fit. I shouldn’t let myself get caught up in the size of my audience. Having readers is an added bonus, a blessing. My focus needs to stay on the message. I don’t even need to worry about whether or not a post will be liked. If I’m writing what God tells me to write, then it will be right.
The Relevant Conference sounds amazing. I hope to attend one day.
Kelly k says
And may I add as a fairly new person to this site—–many people may read and be touched by your words but do not comment. I am one of them. Often my thoughts seems redundant to those who have already posted so I don’t. Maybe I should but if I don’t comment, I can’t be the only one which means you sweet ladies are touching far more people than you know. I read every blog posted on this site daily and God has used it in my walk with him. Each blog is different—some may hit home more than others but ALL are a blessing to me! Thank you!!!!! Just wanted you to know because there ARE the “Silent” ones (like me), who God touches through the stories you share and the words you write–
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Love to hear your voice, Kelly. You are anything but redundant! You are a wonder. Thank you for such lovely encouragement!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
I love this post as it is so true and so important to understand. We all have a story to tell and when that story reaches even one person we should consider that a success. God will use each story to touch particular lives (those He hand selects), in His perfect time.
Shanda Oakley says
Thank you. Yes, sometimes our stories are only for one or two. And, if God chooses just he few, we are to be content with what He provides. There are times when I feel like I am on another wave length from others. Yet, there is always one who comments and ins blessed.
Jeri Taira says
What amazing encouragement. So needed Lisa-Jo.
Cindee Snider Re says
Perfect. Community — love spilling across the page, words just a screen away, a chair scooted closer to the table, lives, hearts, faith nurtured and shared. Love it! What a beautiful image of the possible! Thank you.
Jamie @ Six Bricks High says
Love. This is truth and encouragement. Thanks for sharing these words.
Favorite Phrase Friday {October 28, 2011} | The Ivey League says
[…] and when to listen. Sometimes it’s even harder to speak when you think no one’s listening. -from Lisa-Jo on the (in)courage website How can rusty, bent steel make a mama hurt for all that’s slid away? A Velveteen Mother — […]
Carol says
Hi Lisa-Jo!!
So many times I read your blogs and stories about every day life and truly you are just like rain drops quenching a parched landscape!! Isn’t it funny how we can be so blessed to say what one person needs to hear that day….with no knowledge on our part of what our audience might be longing to hear, similarities to share with someone, problems to identify with…, we share our lives and our stories and lives and touch others. Our God is good. I’ve been writing my blog for over a year now. It’s hard to not be disappointed when you don’t have many hits or comments on a story you so lovingly wrote, but in time there will be someone who comes along and reads it I have found. It’s also hard when you put a lot of effort into writing a blog out, and you have a ton of hits and 1 comment!! I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum with that!! I made a Facebook fan page not too long ago, and at first I had quite a bit of feedback, and then it dropped off….and there are days where I wonder why I bother, and I sulk around and think “Geeze, I could talk to myself at home without writing it all out online” but writing is my passion, and sharing my world, my life, my lessons I’ve learned, is what I feel led to do, so I will continue and try to learn to put “that side” , the one who wants attention for what I do, on the back burner, and do what I’m led to!! Sending hugs your way today!!
Carol
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
You and me both, Carol. I have those same arguments in my head until I remember that people are lovely and funny and I can easily spend a whole day with just one girlfriend and it’s fabulous. Why then can’t I do the same online? I think I can. I think we all can. And be so blessed in the process!
Heather says
I love the line that speaks to feeding the hungry who are already there. Often in the blogging world we fixated on those who are yet to read our blog. It’s a shame that causes us to lose sight of those that already enjoy our work. Thank you for the humble reminder!
Cheers!
Heather @ Find That Warm Fuzzy Feeling
Hannah @ A Quiet Spot says
Once again, you hit the spot. This and your other recent post about stats really spoke to me, as I struggle with this issue (and resulting jealousy of others who are more “successful”). The Lord has spoken to me through you, through a couple others, and through His voice in my spirit , that the quality of the relationships I make and maintain through blogging is more important than the quantity. Thanks, Lisa-Jo!
Jennie says
Thank you~
You know, there are some hungry ones who live right here in my house. They need to hear the stories God is writing in my heart and they need me to listen to theirs. If my writing is only to sort the jumble of thoughts into stories for them, it is good and enough.
Bonnie (bbrunophotography) says
God has brought just the right people across my path at just the right moments – both for them and for me. I know He is able. Our words are just words, until He takes hold of them and flings them into space.
Kristi Singer says
I feel God may be calling an army of writers…since so much of what we do is electronic…blogging seems to be the perfect venue to get His word to the people. As a “baby” writer, I appreciate the thoughts you have expressed here. One question I keep asking, “What makes me think that anyone will want to read what I write.” But, with God as my confidence and purpose, I know He will connect this writer to the readers that need to hear what He wants to say through me. Even for only one. Truly, thank you!
Annie B. says
You nailed it. Thanks so much for these words that my heart so desperately needed. I am constantly giving up writing because it just doesn’t feel worth it…NO ONE (who really cares) READS THIS ANYWAY!!
After reading this post, I got to thinking. My two Aunts who are unbelievers are faithful blog readers…a friend from my high school found my blog and actually decided to follow Christ after reading one post…someone I have never met sent me a message genuinely thanking me for being vulnerable and transparent in my writing. She wasn’t even trying to get me to follow her back.
So, today…after quitting (for the 39th time)… I think I’ll sit down and write something. Even if it is just for Aunt Mary.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Oh I love to hear that. Because Aunt Mary – to Jesus – well she’s worth a million hits. A google. A zillion!! 🙂
Michelle @ Changed By The Maker says
Thanks for this encouraging reminder. Sometimes I lose sight of the possibilities that exist when we put our life out there. I forget about the fact that, if the Lord uses even one post to influence the heart of one reader, it is worth it. And, the truth is, I like writing them, so why isn’t that enough? Thanks again.
Michele@From the Unpaved Road says
Adore your heart beating with His… honored to have heard this live and grateful our paths have crossed. Love-Michele
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Did I really not get a picture with you Michele? How is that possible!! Rats. But it was such an honor to meet you. Thank you for loving on my Africa so so well!
Rena says
Soaking in your words today…. they’re so strong, I do believe they’re drowning out the tears.
» Back to the Beginning The Artisan Home says
[…] was encouraged recently to read this post by Lisa-Jo: Feed them your best. Lay out your story and your life and your generous love for them. Perhaps our […]
Jess says
Love this! I often wonder those same things…thank you for the encouragement!