The Pressure to Publish

A blog is an interesting critter.  I've made three posts and find myself concerned that my "followers" are out there anxiously awaiting the next post.  There is a certain degree of pressure to publish that comes with a blog.  

Then there is the matter of content.  If I have followers, how will they react to what I write and what effect will it have on me? I'm reminded of a line from the old TV series "The West Wing."  One of the characters asks, "What do you call a leader who has no followers?"  The answer?  "A guy taking a walk."  That’s the fate of the unread blogger, taking a virtual walk.

It turns out my mom was one of the original bloggers.  She blogged before computers, copiers and the Internet.  My dad was a pastor and my mom was his staff.  Every week my mom and dad published a newsletter called "The Scroll."  It contained church announcements, what was happening in people's lives, prayer requests and other parts of the community life of the church. 

"The Scroll" was printed on colored legal sized paper using a mimeograph machine (look it up).  It was two sided and sent through the mail.  I spent most Wednesday afternoons helping to fold, staple, label (you had to lick the label) and stamp those newsletters for mailing.  I liked turning the crank on the mimeograph machine and stapling.  

On the reverse side of the newsletter, my mom published a weekly story called "The Parsonage Patter." This story contained a vignette about something that took place in our home and my mom would include a spiritual application. 

It seemed like every cute, dumb, poignant, or interesting event that took place with the three kids in the parsonage during the previous week was subject to be recorded, communicated and spiritualized for the benefit of the parishioners of my dad's church.  

I can tell you that our home was not a safe place for a 4 year old boy who accidentally put his pants on backwards, and wanted to maintain anonymity.  However, it was a place where we understood God's presence in daily life.

Kids in the current culture would be aghast that someone would be able to observe their lives and write a story without permission.  I see it differently.  I have a legacy of stories that allow me to see our family life well past the point where most adults can remember.  I have a mom who could always find a spiritual lesson or truth in a daily event and was paying close enough attention not to miss it.  A characteristic replicated in my bride.

The lesson here is simple.  Live life, pay attention, take some risks in sharing your life so someone will see and understand God's intimate presence in daily life.