I have been blogging for several years, and writing has always been and always will be a way of sharing my heart- with hopes to reach other people’s hearts. I write because there is a profound feeling of fulfillment when I can express myself through words, but another benefit of this blogging biz is discovering other people’s words that hold enormous power and reach my heart as well. I spend much of my time reading articles from a growing and vast amount of various writers I have connected with on this world wide web. Many of them are my friends, and I’m often touched and inspired by their words.
If you haven’t followed my Facebook page, you are missing out on some amazing posts that I share. I spend more time reading other people’s posts than writing my own. Non- bloggers don’t realize that blogging isn’t just about the blogger writing a post and walking away… There’s SO much more to this. SO much more. It’s been an incredibly educational experience as I’ve learned a great deal from reading such a variety of talented writers and I want to use this space to support and acknowledge their work. You can go HERE to like and add my page to your notifications on Facebook, so you can continue to keep up with all the great content I will share over there!
I know many people don’t have the time to wander the internet looking for great articles to read, so I am going to offer you one of the wonderful benefits of being an active blogger. I may share funny stuff or intimate essays, it just depends on the week and what I find. I hope you enjoy this new series and discover some new writers to follow as well.
Don’t miss these amazing posts!
1. This must read, “The Watermark Is Always Rising.” is an incredibly inspiring post, written by my friend Ashford Evans from Biscuits and Crazy. She is a contributor for MomBabble.com, another great site where you can find heartwarming posts about motherhood. Her article will touch your heart in those deep places and encourage you to find strength in those unexpected trials you face. I love everything she writes, and this one did not disappoint.
2. I always love the way my faithful friend, Kathy Barbini from Holy Vacation Queen paints vivid images with her words and beautifully portrays her biblical wisdom using God’s Truth in her powerful messages. I’m always inspired and encouraged by her blog. Her post “Surrender” speaks to my heart, and I’m betting it will do the same for you.
3. How about a few laughs for us moms? Meredith from Perfection Pending, shares a weekly post capturing the funniest memes around the web. I always LOVE a good laugh- on our behalf! Many of these memes are created by my blogging friends and they are priceless! Take a look and I’m going to bet you will relate to these “Hilarious Facebook Memes of the Week.”
4. ” Adjusting My Lens: Shifting Out of Survival and Back Into Life” is written by my friend, Christine Suhan from “Feelings and Faith”. Her powerful essay will rip your heart open and then mend it with hope. I’m always amazed at her profound story of tragic circumstances and her victory over them all. She is an incredible inspiration, and a beautiful writer.
5. I absolutely loved this parenting post, “Teach with Love” by my friend Kristen Hewitt, from Mommy In Sports. She shares an honest reflection on a difficult parenting moment as she offers insight and wisdom on communicating with our children. It touched me deeply and still resonates with me as an important lesson to remember.
6. Another parenting piece that hit me in the heart was written by Alyce Kominetsky, another friend who blogs over at One Word at a Time. Alyce’s piece on Huffpost, “When My Child Told Me She Liked Herself”, shared a story that will resonate with all moms of girls. Her honest perspective touched me deeply as a mom of my own growing daughter. I just love that she used a vulnerable experience with her daughter to add such great insight and wisdom in how we can contribute to building our kids’ self esteem in a world full of distorted messages.
7. Get tissues and hold onto your heart because it will fall apart when you read this tragic piece, “My Daughter’s Life Without Me”, written by a mom with Cancer. I simply can’t imagine, nor can I express accurately the sadness and desperate anger I feel about this precious woman’s fate. I am in awe of Magnolia Ripkin’s courage and strength. Please join me in praying for this mama.
8. My beloved friend Kim Sisto-Robinson from My Inner Chick writes passionately about her beautiful sister Kay who was murdered by her abusive husband almost six years ago. There isn’t a post she writes that doesn’t leave me breathless and in tears, aching for her loss and for the horrific circumstances many women are in with abusive husbands. Her mission is clear: Save as many women as she possibly can, through her voice. “After The Fire” especially reflects her faith as she is a light in the dark world of domestic violence. One of the greatest gifts I have ever received, was when Kim sent me Kay’s cross necklace found in her bible. It still hangs on my computer screen as I write this now, and it always will.
9. One of the joys of being a writer and reading other work is when you unexpectedly find a new gem of talent. I recently discovered Lisa McCrohan’s article, “Raising Girls Who Are Includers” and I am now a faithful follower of hers. This piece is incredible. Every parent needs to read her message. Every child will have to navigate these tricky tides of friendships and social cultures no matter where they are raised. She gifts us all with her wisdom and perspective on this tough topic.
10. Some of my friends launched a new site called “Break The Parenting Mold” in which they share articles covering themes of special needs, parenting, recipes and advice for us moms. This piece, “In The Midst of the Autism Storm”, had a profound impact on me. Debbie’s brilliant writing depicts an intimate window into the challenges and the blessings of having a child with autism. Her beautiful story moved me to tears.
I hope you enjoyed these amazing articles, and I look forward to sharing more in future posts! There is a wealth of talented writers out there, and I’m a better person and writer because of the time I’ve spent reading their work.
*Joining the fabulous Finish The Sentence Friday Link up with this one!
—-Chris,
Your heart fills up every space and corner of the universe.
I so-much love how GOD has used you as one of his greatest, kindest, warmest, non-judgmental warriors.
What a role-model you are for all of us.
I thank HIM for your life and work and I wonder what other plans HE has for you!!
With love and appreciation. xxxxxxx
Oh my gosh Kim. I think I will re-read your comment a few more times…
*Thank you so so much, love.*
You KNOW how I feel about you. 🙂
(I too, wonder what other plans HE has for me.)
How great of you, to share all these other amazing posts, and I look forward to reading them.
They are all worth reading, Kerry. Promise!
Some of my favorite writers here and off to check out a few that I haven’t read yet. Thanks for sharing, Chris.
I hope you liked those you hadn’t read yet, Janine! I was blown away by them. 🙂
You are the gem of all gems with all that you do to support others .
Aw! Thank you friend. So so much. I really do love so many amazing writers out there. It’s SUCH an amazing thing. (And you KNOW you will be on this list at some point in this series. Obvs. lol )
Such a generous post, Chris! I can’t wait to read through these. I, too, am so regularly inspired by fellow bloggers and feel so lucky that many of them are now friends.
Happy Saturday, Emily
It’s really an amazing thing, these online friendships. I am THRILLED to have connected with you. 🙂 (LOVED your piece.)
How generous you are Chris. I’ve had so little time to read like I used to, so that value the list. Thank-you!
I would guess you certainly don’t have the time to read a lot of posts Allie! These are really REALLY good ones. 🙂
I can’t wait to get to these Chris. You’re amazing. I’m so glad that you write and to be able to call you my friend. Thanks huge for sharing one of the BTPM posts. We so very appreciate it. <3
I was going to tag you and Jen about it, but hadn’t gotten to it yet! I absolutely LOVE the site and the content over there is excellent. WELL DONE YOU!!! 🙂
Thank you precious Chris for including me on this fabulous list of blogs!! Your a gift to us all!
You KNOW how much I adore your words and your messages, Kathy. You have such a gift! <3
Thanks Christine, for sharing these. It is so true that we learn so much from other bloggers! I’d say presently, that I spend more time reading other blogs, than I do writing on my own. And it a blessing.
We can learn SO much about writing, from reading. I love that. Great writers always inspire me too, Lynn!
Hi Chris! I am connected to you through FB and you are always promoting other writers. It’s really lovely.
I have just met the Holy Vacation Queen, and have been enjoying her posts. I’ll have to check out a few more of your friends here.
So much more than just writing and walking away. Yeah…no kidding! Writing is hard work. And yet “People think that writers are dreamy, lazy people who just pop out ideas like a toaster.” What??? I think writers are some of the hardest working people of all. And we do it without a lot of reward, acclaim or notice. It has to be a gift, an nudge from God. Why else would we do it?
Blessings,
Ceil
AMEN Ceil! I sometimes feel like I am ALWAYS working. There’s no time clock to punch in and out- it’s up late and early morning hours- random moments of inspiration and logged hours of reading and all the other tasks to complete as a writer/blogger. I know when I sit down at my computer, an hour will fly by in an instant. I will get sucked into it all…
I do love it all. But ohmygoodness it takes TIME.
And yeah, that gift. It’s all about the gift. 😉
I have so many tabs open right now – can’t wait to read all these wonderful pieces you have curated for us. You are one of the most generous bloggers I know, Chris – thank you for supporting all of us who are blessed to know you!
Aw! Thanks so much sweetie!! I really love reading and sharing because I know it means a lot to the blogger. When I’ve come across REALLY amazing stuff, I just kept thinking I wanted to do more than just share on social media! So here it is…
More round ups to come, when I find ten more WOW posts. I hope you liked the ones I shared Dana. 🙂
You do have a tendency to share incredible writers. And we share a lot in common, so when I see one I hadn’t heard of, I take notice! It means a new writer to discover. You shared some fabulous ones here.. and some real tear-jerkers. Sheesh!
I know… incredibly moving pieces in this list! I’m in awe of many of them. I think you and I like the same stuff, girl. 😉
Most of these are new names to me, but I’m so grateful for the recommendations. There are so many talented voices out there. If only I had time to enjoy them all!
Isn’t it amazing? The blogging world is ENDLESS. Some of these writers I didn’t know, and others I JUST found. I have been trying to expand my reading and soak in a good variety of words and writers. It’s really inspiring. There’s nothing better than reading those WOW pieces and then being able to share them with others. 🙂
What an awesome idea, dear Chris! I am so glad we found each other. Thank you for this beautiful list. I look forward to reading what these lovely writers have to share – especially on parenting and spirituality.
Thank you for including my blog post. I’m grateful to have the messages/gems whispered on my heart by the Divine then shared in the world to promote a more compassionate world! Blessings of abundance to you, Chris.
Love,
Lisa
And your words do just that, my new friend. I’m incredibly honored to read and share them. <3
You are such a generous spirit, Chris. Wow. This is a brilliant post. So many of these names are new to me as well. I shall check them out. Thank you. And thank you for spreading the word about the effort that goes into successful blogging. It’s one thing to write, it’s another to read and share the words of others. You’re an absolute gem.
Aw! Thanks so much Kelly! 🙂 I’m truly honored to read such great stuff- that’s really part of what inspires me and perhaps us all to become great writers. I wish I could support EVERY SINGLE BLOGGER I KNOW. I really do.
It will be really hard to narrow these round ups, but I am going to pick the ones that WOW me. Some of the writers I won’t even know, like a few in this list. Half the thrill of writing is reading great words, am I right?
You really do share – and write – the best stuff, Chris. I am so glad to have found you via this crazy blogging world. Now if only I could make the time to keep up with all the reading…
Thanks for sharing this list – I’m pinning this to save.
I know, oh how I know! I wish there were two more days in the week I could add JUST for reading other blogs! It’s absolutely impossible to keep up. I’ve stopped reading SO many of them, due to TIME limitations, and I know you get that. I’m so glad you trust my judgment, my friend. You will definitely LOVE all of these, if you ever find the time. 🙂
I love that you are doing this. Once upon of five-ish years ago, a blogger spotlighted me and that’s how I was “discovered”. Sometimes I do feel like blogging is 75 reading and supporting other bloggers. I’ll bookmark this one so I can get around to all the posts because I haven’t read any of them.
I love that is how you were ‘discovered’ Kenya! Just love that. 🙂
It’s such a great way to support great writers and share their work. You really need to read these- I promise they will inspire you or move you in some way.
Thank you so much for sharing these. I can’t believe I’m not familiar with most of these blogs! You are such a giver. Thank you for sharing these!
It’s kinda crazy how BIG this blog world is, isn’t it? I’m forever fascinated with it all. I hope you were able to catch some of these, Leah! YOU would love them, being the amazing writer that you are. 🙂
Teach with love. That one is beautiful – as are the rest. I didn’t read Magnolia’s again…I’m on my break at work and don’t want to ugly cry. These are beautiful all in one place Chris. Thank you. Tweeted a few of them.
I’m SO glad you liked them Liv. 🙂 I’ll be doing another round up soon!
I love following your Facebook page, my friend. You post some fantastic stuff, Chris :). These articles look awesome. I pinned this so I can come back when I have more time to read them all. I know if you are recommending them, they are definitely worth my attention. And you are so right about blogging: there is SO much to it. This never ceases to amaze me even after almost 3 years! XO.
Candace, you will really love these! I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. There are so many that catch my breath and I wanted to find a way to *save* them and *share* them for those who may have missed them. ENJOY!
When I go through a blogging drought (I’m in one right now), it’s because I haven’t read anybody else’s blog posts. This is a wonderful place to start. Thank you for putting this list together!
These are some really amazing pieces that will surely inspire you, my friend! 🙂