A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. ~Proverbs 17:17
When I stop and reflect upon all the amazing people I've met in my years of writing this blog, I am both humbled and filled with gratitude. It has been one of the most rewarding, enlightening journeys I have had the privilege to embark upon and I treasure being able to do so once a week.
Living in Blogland is an incomparable adventure. We connect with others' hearts and minds, and share hopes and fears honestly and openly. Most of you who follow my blog have become dear and valued friends, even though we've never met in person, I feel that your words, photos, beliefs, and dreams are woven into my being like kindred spirits who always encourage me to be better, to fully become the person God created me to be.
That being said, my hope and prayer is that I've brought the same authenticity and inspiration to your day in my once-a-week message. Some of you faithfully leave comments to that effect, giving me the feedback that every blogger needs to keep on keeping on. While I know some of you don't respond to comments left on your own blog, your continued visits here assure me that you are still vested in me and on the same virtual page.
Any way you might choose to acknowledge another's presence in Blogland should be honored and respected. Please know that when you do leave a comment here, my practice is to respond to it in a timely and positive manner. Yes, I've messed up with this from time to time, but it's my goal to stay the course I've set out for Mediations of My Heart.
Afraid you might not get back around to see if I've responded? I have a solution that most of you have probably figured out (I can be a slow learner when it comes to all things tech). Before you publish your comment, check the Notify Me box just below to the right. You will not only receive an email message when I've answered, but also you'll have the benefit of seeing the comments of others who are, more likely than not, blogging buddies we share in common.
I've also adopted the habit of using your name when answering your comments. That way, you can see immediately the response that matches your input without having to return to the actual blog itself. Easy peasy!
Each and every one of you holds a special place in my heart, and you always will. Thanks for the blessings your blogs give to me and so many others. But most of all, thank you for being a friend.
Amen!
Dear Martha, you are such a lovely person and a joy 😊 to know. I personally do not expect a response to comments that I leave on blogs, what is important to me is that my comment is seen and read. Sometimes comments on any given blog can be numerous and responding to each one can take a considerable amount of time. Not everyone has this time, and this is totally understandable to me. I prefer to not receive email comment responses because I try to limit my emails to more urgent matters.
ReplyDeleteThere are also those who read blogs but do not comment.
I do my best to accept each person on an individual basis. I prefer not to email responses to comments I receive on my blog or to respond to every comment because I prefer to use my time to visit their blog and comment on what they have shared. I respect that everyone has his or her own way of doing things, so I don't expect a response. I read and appreciate every single comment I receive on my blog.
Thank you for being such a good friend, dear Martha. Love and blessings.
I so appreciate your long and thoughtful comment here today, Linda. I've seen how many folks comment on your blog - you have quite the following! So it's completely understandable that answering each one would take up time that you have to actually visit with the person who commented in the first place. I'm so glad that you take the time to visit with me and I consider you to be a sweet and lovely new friend with whom I've been blessed to meet.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Hi Martha, yes it is lovely interacting with bloggers all around the world. I only put a post up when something comes into my mind, which may not be every week. I see what other bloggers have put up then, and may not answer each post, but I enjoy reading whatever is frequently written. God bless you for sharing your lovely thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda, for sharing your blogging style with all of us here. Yes, it's amazing how we can connect with others all around the world in Blogland, people we would otherwise never get the chance to meet in person. I've so enjoyed getting to know you through your lovely poetry and prose. Keep it coming!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
i cannot even begin to think how many years it has been since we started reading and commenting on each other's blogs Martha. I have become richer for it. And even though we have not met in person, I feel like we are friends who will have a whole lot to say to each other when we meet-here or in heaven. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea, either, Bill, how many years we have known one another through blogging. All I know is that those years have been amazing and so edifying for me through your scripture-inspired words. I'm a richer person for knowing you and it's a privilege to call you friend.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
What a lovely and cheerful post for this grey and damp morning here in the UK. Thank you Martha. And I remember the series The Golden Girls from years gone by.
ReplyDeleteTrue Happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice.
Thank you for being a friend.
God bless.
You are so right about the quality of friends over the quantity, Victor, and I've hit the jackpot when it comes to having friends like you. Your Christian reflections always make me think, and your humorous posts consistently make me laugh. I treasure your friendship from over the pond.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Your posts are always ones that I look forward to reading, because there is always something positive and encouraging and kind here, as well as often something to learn and be inspired by. You are very good to respond to our comments, and I appreciate that, even if I don't always come back to see the response. My problem is in keeping up with everyone's comments and also reading their posts and comments and time gets away from me. You are wise to just do one post a week. So many of our friends post something every day, and that is hard for me to keep up with. I try to post something maybe 3 or 4 times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending upon what is going on. I like your idea about the "notify me" box, and I've done that before, but found that soon I was getting so many notifications from other people in addition to my own blogs, well, anyway, I'm trying not to become overwhelmed with it all and just continue to have this be a pleasant and friendly and happy place that doesn't make me feel like I can't keep up and then I get frustrated. Oh, I just read what Victor said above and I like that, "True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice." I love that. It's better to have just a few really good friends that we enjoy than to have so many people that we either rarely ever hear from or who we really don't have that much in common and we just feel obligated to keep up. In this day of social media we sometimes need to just stop and make some wise decisions and choices. Thank you for being a dear friend. I always love to visit with you, and appreciate your words of wisdom so much. Have a lovely day my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Pamela, for your most thoughtful and caring comment here today. Boy, do I ever understand the time that it takes to visit so many friends each day, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I can always count on your posts to be inspirational and down-home at the same time, and that is a comfort to me and, I'm sure, so many others who have gotten to know you at your blog. Even if we never get to meet in this life, I feel we will be kindred spirits in the next. I love what Victor said, too, because it's so very true.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
My memory is a bit foggy as to when we first met, but I think it had something to do with a crazy talking squirrel named Racer. That was 2012, but it might have been earlier.
ReplyDeleteI think it was before that, Glynn, but I couldn't tell you exactly when. But yes, Racer definitely had a "paw" in us getting to know one another and becoming blogging friends. I want you to know that your support and encouragement when it comes to my novels have been priceless to me. And your poetry? Excellence on steroids!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I really enjoy your weekly posts Martha. Thanks for your thoughtful messages.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know that you enjoy my posts, Bill. Thank you for being a friend to Danny and to me through thick and thin.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Love you Martha -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLove you back, Christine!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I’ve stopped commenting on some blogs because of this. I figure why bother? I’d be fine if bloggers at least mentioned that they do not return comments then I don’t have to waste my time going there to crickets.
ReplyDeleteThen there are those you know - who truly enjoy the comments and they answer back. Blogging is a 2-way street.
BTW Martha, you always comment back here and I truly appreciate that. It shows me you really value every single comment with a response.
Thanks so much, Debby, for your kind words here today. Yes, we all have our unique blogging style, don't we? Honestly, if I don't enjoy someone's blog because of subject matter or otherwise, I won't go back to visit. I truly enjoy your posts and am so happy to get to know you better through your inspirational words and photos. I look forward to all your posts!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you for your friendship, Martha. Blessings on your week.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for yours, Diana!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you, Martha, for how you have encouraged me over the years. Love, hugs, and blessings of strength and peace for each day!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've found inspiration in my posts over the years, Trudy. That means so much to me. Know your lovely posts never fail to uplift and inspire me, too!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I love that you will start your replies with our names. You are so special, and I look forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words here, Ginny. I'm so glad we found each other just recently here in Blogland, too. Your photography and verse are always inspiring.
DeleteGrace and blessings!