Your blog is one of the best examples of community.
You tend to collect people!
Every blogger worth her salt loves to put up posts that facilitate energetic, spirited conversation. When all is said and done, it's not about the number of hits, likes, or shares. It's about the depth of the relationship that springs from her readers knowing they belong, that they are valued, esteemed, loved, and accepted. 
And out of those relationships, good discussions follow.
Most bloggers work hard not only coming up with posts that matter, but in building community that's safe, warm, and welcoming. One post, one comment, one discussion at a time.
Here's the 2019 posts that most resonated with you, based on the numbers of you that took the time to join the dialogue. For some reason, you hung out long enough to leave your mark, your wisdom, your humor, your imprint here.
And I am grateful.
Click on the title to take you there ...
#1
There's something challenging about sharing a post at someone else's place. Even though you might know a number of her readers, you want to put your best foot forward because you're a guest in her home and you want to honor her gracious welcome with an offering that's in some way meaningful or provocative or eye-catching. And, truth be told, you hope that maybe you'll gain a few new readers of your own in the process ...
#2
Who doesn't enjoy reading their friends' end-of-the-month posts? Perhaps taking a peek at what's saving their lives in the current season? Or skimming through what a kindred spirit is loving, hearing, learning, and paging through ...
#3
February was created for leisurely reads, stories that capture your heart, and thought-provoking conversations between friends. And that's why I've chosen Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis as our first 2019 Book Club selection ...
#4
... To be honest, I'm not quite sure where I'm going with today's post. I'm flipping through my journal even as we speak, hoping to find some tidbits that might grab your attention, touch your heart, or give you cause for pause. In the last month, I've spent hours with my journal {which is 'code' for talking with God}, sorting through my life, my priorities, my stuff ...
#5
... Year #13 of blogging has snuck up quietly this week, tapped me on the shoulder, pulled at my heartstrings. In some ways I'm surprised to still be pecking away at the keyboard after more than a decade, dreaming up something of value every week or so to offer you. But when I think about it for just a bit, it's not at all a surprise ...
#6
I have no words. I don't even know how to tell you. Except to say that my beloved niece Jessica was taken up to heaven unexpectedly early Monday morning ...
#7
I took a great big breath and ventured deep into the bowels of Blogger which is not my favorite thing to do since the day I set this blog up ... and in the process almost deleted it and my dear Creekside Ministries website from whence I came. Talk about anxiety ...
*
I love doing life in community with you, friends. In fact, I thank God upon every remembrance of you {Philippians 1:3}. Yes, I do!
If you've never subscribed to our little online community, I can't think of a better time than now ... you can click right here.
If you've never subscribed to our little online community, I can't think of a better time than now ... you can click right here.
And let's see what God does with our calling, our communities, our creative work, our ministries, our families in 2020 ~
Linda
And I so love being in this warm and welcoming community of bloggers you've attracted, Linda. I'm looking forward to the blessings of your words in 2020!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
It's so good to do life together, isn't it, Martha. Let's see what God has for us in the months ahead ... right now it's one day at a time and that's ok by me ...
Delete;-}
You wrote of reading groups beguiling,
ReplyDeleteand I should have taken part.
Some posts left me smiling,
and others broke my heart.
I have enjoyed this journey
through the year that was,
and oft-times you have turned me
toward vistas new because
you spoke with such bright quiet grace
and mighty eloquence,
that in the dark I'd see God's face,
through faith and love's own lens.
You taught my soul to break and mend,
and I'm so glad you are my friend!
Wow. I guess I'm speechless here at your words this morning, Andrew.
DeleteAll I can say is I'm grateful you're in my world. You teach me much about living well even while dying. You've left your mark all over the internet in the best of ways.
Your legacy is profound and life-changing. May God continue to give you grace for each day ... and an overflowing bounty of it to share with others.
May He bless you richly in the midst of this battle.
With best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to you and your family. Oh ... and your readers too.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
So grateful we get to connect across the ocean, Victor! Your wry humor is much needed in this day and age.
DeleteBless you for it ...
Always a blessing to be part of this community! Happy New Year Linda!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what your heart and your lens have for us in the days ahead, Lynn.
DeleteI always leave a visit with you calmed and inspired ...
I always enjoy being at your place where I find heart-filled posts. I look forward to what you will share with us in 2020. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you and yours, Pam. Thanks for your gentle nudges toward all things beautiful!
DeleteI was thinking, as I compiled my most-viewed posts, that most-viewed doesn't necessarily mean those are the ones that resonated with people the most--probably the posts with the most comments are more indicative of that. But my stats page doesn't show which posts had the most comments. Then again, we never really know how God is using what He leads us to write.
ReplyDeleteI do remember many of these posts. I don't always have time to read through the comments on others' blogs, but I made a point to do so for the book discussions and some others. That increases the fun and food for thought.
Hope you have a good 2020!
Oh Barbara, this is so very true --> 'we never really know how God is using what He leads us to write.'
DeleteThose pesky stats will never fully reflect the work He's doing in the hearts of both reader and writer alike.
I do appreciate your wise observations, both here and over at your place.
Bless you as we look forward ...
So many memories as I read through this list, Linda! Highs and lows. Thanks for allowing us to travel with you on your journey through 2019. I look forward to where God will take us in 2020!
ReplyDeleteIt's a joy to do community all together, isn't it, Lisa! Thank you for all the wisdom, grace, and joy you pour into my life. I am so grateful for the long history we've shared along the way ...
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of posts, Linda! I reread your guest post at Mary's place and a few others that I remember so well from the first half of the year. Looking back, it's very clear that your writing, however often it popped into my inbox, provided a much-needed respite during some very exhausting and sad weeks. Praying that God will bless you abundantly as you continue to share your gifts with us in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteYes, most of these posts are from the first half of the year. Very slowly, some favorite bloggers are fading away to other pursuits, ministries, jobs outside the home, or just plain not commenting.
DeleteI miss them!
You and I have heard each other well during this season of loss and grief, Lois. Thank you so much for walking alongside, for keeping it real, for showing the way.
May our new year bring brighter paths to share ...
I had a whole comment written out and lost it! So frustrating! But, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and all of the other lovely bloggers who congregate here and at my blog and the others. We are so blessed to have the Lord care enough to intertwine our lives. Grateful to do this blogging life alongside you, sweet sister. Many blessings to you in 2020!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, hi ... and thanks for sticking with me when your comment faded away. So frustrating ... and so gracious of you to try again.
DeleteYes, we share in a beautifully vibrant community, don't we. My faith has grown and sharpened by kindred spirit / open door relationships and heartfelt words that pour from the pens of others.
I'm so grateful that God has connected us this year and look forward to getting to know you in the days ahead.
Bless you!
Looking forward to reading in 2020 Linda. I think it is exciting to not know what God has planned and to see where He leads.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Bill ... laying low, sitting quietly, watching and waiting for His leading.
DeleteNew year's blessings to you and your people, friend.
As so many others have said, I'm looking forward to reading more from you in this new year. I know I will be challenged, encouraged, and filled. Happy New Year, friend!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm kind of excited to see where your creative energies and spiritual insights take us, Debby!
DeleteHappy New Year, Linda! I enjoyed several of these posts and I always appreciate the conversation and community here. Blessings for 2020!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, too, my across-the-ocean friend!
Delete;-}
So glad I could supply a quote, dear friend! That sums up exactly how I feel about your blog. Here's to another year of community! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou did more than supply a quote, you gave me a huge dose of encouragement to keep on keeping on. Thank you so much, Laurie!
DeleteSo wonderful to scroll and see all the amazing posts throughout the year that have been a blessing to so many including myself Linda! I missed your post on the tragedy with your niece, and just left a comment on that post. That just really saddened me, and I will continue to be in prayer for the family. You share such love and encouragement here, and I pray that going into 2020, it will be a year that is full of the blessings and presence of the Lord in your life!
ReplyDeleteDear Marilyn, thanks for reaching out here and on Jessica's post. Like many of our readers, I slip into 2020 surrounded by sorrow and loss ... but also with great hope and confidence in who God is and cradled in the warmth of His never failing love.
DeleteBless you ...
I've said it so many times: community is the gift of blogging that I never expected!
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth, Michele! What a gift to have kindred spirits from all over the place travel through life's ups and downs alongside us ...
DeleteI have to say, so many of these pictures of you just make me want to belly laugh, Linda! You are so much fun and your spirit of enthusiasm for life and God is contagious! Thanks for sharing these important posts with us once again and lifting up prayers for you and your family as you continue to grieve Jessica. Such a heartbreaking blow! Your family surely has known your share of grief!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing in a bit of the overview of last year's conversations, friend. Makes me remember that day that the 6 of us had that beautiful face-to-face time some years back.
DeleteBest to you guys as we head into the new year ...
You are so good at opening your door and welcoming your readers in. You are a favorite place for me to visit. You offer a little bit for everyone. It's hard to believe you have been around thirteen years. I'm finding it hard to believe that it's been seven years for me. Thank you for being such a blessing to many.
ReplyDeleteYep, YOU opened your door to me last year and it led to one of my most heartfelt posts ... and heaps of discussion which I just love. Thank you for giving me that opportunity, for showing me grace, and mercy in recent days.
DeleteYou are a forever friend, Mary ...