I’ve had a presence on the internet with my blog and social media posts for over 5 years. Each week I get a handful of “personalized” emails from marketing agencies and SEO experts (SEO= search engine optimization). They chide that I need a “marketing plan that will want readers to click on, read, share, or interact with” my website content. They tell me about the exponential growth I could have in “followers” if I would just sign a contract for their services.

Those emails get deleted immediately.

It’s not about making money with my blog; you’ll never see pop-up ads and the number of followers isn’t important in determining whether I am following my calling.

I do want my blog to be read and shared, but it isn’t about the numbers. I have a small group of faithful followers, some who are best personal friends and others who I’ve never met. They are regular readers and send encouraging notes or comments on my posts and often share them with their friends. I hope this small group knows me well enough to see that my life has been changed by putting God first, and then see how much better my relationships are that now flow from my first love. I write honestly about my personal life including about some relationships that were destructive that had to stop, but that is just a part of the process as we become disciples.

I like to write and feel called to write about everyday issues we encounter when choosing to follow Jesus, but I have no delusions about quitting my wonderful day job as a pharmacist to write full-time. We are often called to do more than one thing with our spiritual gifts, but are also asked to give up many things as we become more faithful.

We hear in Luke 14:26, 33: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”

What I hope my readers come to know is me. That I am thankful for the life I have (both the good and not so good), the close friends that encourage me in my faith, and my church where I have an opportunity to learn as well as to show others Christ’s love.

If you read a post, or see a photo that catches your eye, please drop me a note, or comment on social media. Better yet, share with someone else and tell them why it has meaning for you. The best compliment I can receive is when my blog gives you an opportunity to share the Good News!

Blessings, my friend,
Agatha