Someone recently told me that I maybe share too much on my blog.
Ya think?
I totally know that I do.
But here’s the thing. I’ve heard that maybe a half dozen times in the past four or so years. And I have two thoughts.
First, if they (or you for that matter) knew what I didn’t share, you’d realize that I’m in actuality holding back. It may not seem like I am, but I totes am. Trust me. I could totally name names and give more detail and be super mean. But I don’t and I won’t and that’s not my style.
But secondly, and this is more important, in thinking back on the people who have read my blog and then said this to me – that I perhaps share too much – not one of those people are my audience. Yes, they are my audience in that they kindly take the time to read what I write, but what I mean is that I hear way more from other people who tell me you get it and it’s like you know my life and you’re telling my story and thank you for being God’s voice to me when I was desperate.
And those people who write me those things – they are the ones in the thick of it…they are the ones who need to hear from me that I’ve been there and I remember and I understand and they’re not alone…they are the ones actually in difficult marriages, actually walking through divorces, actually raising their kids alone, actually healing from abuse, actually in pain. Not one of the people who have suggested that I share too much are one of those women.
And that’s who I’m writing for.
If you read my blog just for the heck of it, thank you. But I’m not writing for you. I’m writing for the hurting ones. And I’m going to keep writing the way I write because that’s what they need, that’s what connects us, that’s what hopefully brings them encouragement and support and hope and healing.
Listen, I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. But, as I’m learning, I don’t need to be.
If my work has encouraged you and you’d like to partner with me as I reach out to help hurting women, click herefor more information.
Hear, hear, Elisabeth.
There’s a difference between brokenness having turned one into a howling mess on the floor vs. being a cracked little teacup. You speak to the hearts of the former.
Press on, friend!
I think you share to help. If you didn’t share, your blog would serve no purpose. My teacup overflows with your words of care, experience, concern and guidance.
Never once since I found your blog (over one year ago now) have I ever felt you said too much. You have brought brokenness into the light, to talk it over and expose the darkness. That’s were God can REALY begin His healing…in the light, in the truth, no longer hiding. And though your darkness and brokenness is uniquely yours and mine uniquely mine, it is in the light that we share God’s victories out of our darkness. The secret places heal in the fresh air, when we know we are not alone. When we hear from others who have walked AND survived their own battles, we grow and heal, then we can begin to help heal others through our words and our testimony. That is where God IS! In truth and in light. Never stop talking about the hard stuff!!
John 1:5. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Elizabeth, your candidness and raw honesty helps encourage me to face the part I played in the demise of my marriage. Even though my ex committed adultery and is the one who chose to walk away, when I wanted to reconcile, there are aways two sides to a story. (I’m not suggesting ‘I caused him to’ or ‘drove him to’ cheat….he chose that all in his own and has to live with the consequences of that choice). Your openness has helped me face my own character defects and take steps to change them so if I am ever blessed to be in another relationship I hopefully won’t repeat the same mistakes. Life is messy and you give us the courage to face the mess, move toward healing and move forward, with Jesus’s help. Thank you!
Amen Melinda! Learning to be honest and open about our own mistakes!! Elisabeth’s honestly has helped me take inventory. I long to grow and be healthier if there is a next time!!
Elisabeth,
I have been inspired to continue being vulnerable on my blog because of your blog!! I was so encouraged by your entry on emotional abuse and your mentioning of how you had struggled with second guessing yourself, cause although I’ve been divorced for 2.5 years and have found tons of healing, that baggage still lingers. Any way I think we have a lot in common as far as vision to use the pain of the past to help other women! If ya have a chance please check out my blog at hottpinkadventures@tumblr.com!
May God bless you for your boldness and courage!
Elisabeth,
To encourage you and others with Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
FREEDOM IS MESSY…….Galatians 5:1
Praying….sweet sister in Christ….
Elizabeth,
For those who haven’t experienced what you write about in your blogs, it may seem like too much because they don’t want to know what’s out there for those of us who’ve expereinced broken marriages. It may seem too threatening to them, or perhaps they don’t want to know that so many women are in this kind of pain. It’s your vulnerability that makes your blog worth reading, and also encourages me to know that someone gets me, gets my pain and my losses, gets my tears and my loneliness. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing from your heart.
Elisabeth, we are so much alike! I tend to share “everything,” and I’m sure there are people in my life who have been uncomfortable, or don’t think it’s necessary. But I decided after my now-ex’s first set of affairs, and our first reconciliation, that people can’t relate to Barbie and if I was to help anyone with their own woundedness, they needed to know I was human, with my own battles and scars. There is an intimacy to pain, and you can’t reach that place without vulnerability. Thank you for choosing to be real and being willing to risk being known. As you said, those who need it, get it. (As a side note–I was born the same year Barbie was and my ex was born the same year as Ken. Lol. )
Thanks again for your work!
I get it and I thank you for all you say because I need it.