thank you

It’s my 1 year blogaversary!

One year ago, I was sitting in bed with screaming thoughts and an aching heart. I’d been feeling God’s nudge toward writing for a while; but that night, around 11pm, I googled “How to start a blog,” decided free WordPress looked the best (and easiest), created an account and got started.

I had NO idea what I was doing. But I knew I was in the right place.

I gave it the name “The Rolly Boley’s,” partly because my youngest had just started rolling and I liked the rhyme, and partly because I knew in my gut that although I’d given all I had to avoid it, major changes were on the horizon for me and my boys.

I began pouring my heart out in small doses, and slowly but surely I had a follower or two. Every new follower I got absolutely floored me to the ground. (It still does). The thought that out there in the world were strangers who cared at all what I had to say was just truly amazing.

After officially separating from my husband last March, I decided the name needed to change. I wasn’t thrilled with it to begin with but along with that was the knowledge that having my last name in my blog title was just not something I wanted to do. It didn’t seem to fit. So I thought on it for a while and one day, I realized I was making it too complicated. I relaxed and the name “Three Boys and a Mom” came to me. I knew that was the right fit. Afterall, I’m a mom, and I have three boys. That about sums it up, while leaving me plenty of room to write on anything I want! 🙂

I have never been a very organized blogger. I still have very little clue what I’m doing as far as the design aspect goes. Pretty much, I just kind of keep slapping things together as I go and hope for the best. But so far, this small sliver of the internet has been an absolute blessing!

As I was reflecting on this year of blogging and the gift it has been in my life, I realized…

This is holy ground.

Each time I write, whether it’s about the humor of motherhood, the devastation of divorce, or anything in between, I open my heart and let it bleed out onto the screen. I don’t worry about saying too much. I don’t fear who will like it and who won’t. I don’t even put that much thought into it most of the time. I simply wait for the prompting and allow the overflow of my heart to spill out into this blog.

And you all have caught the overflow.

Relative to the world of blogging, I am a tiny speck on the internet’s hiney. But each and every reader and follower of this blog means something to me. I am beyond humbled, awed and inspired by the fact that any of you take your time to read what I have to say. When you dedicate moments of your life to comment and share your thoughts, your heart and your struggles with me, that my friends, is holy ground. This has become a sacred space.

Here lately I have felt like I need to take off my shoes when I read and respond to your comments. There is a reverance that comes from you that is irreplaceable. The bravery in opening up your lives to me, trusting me with your stories, and respecting me enough to bother leaves me speechless at times.

Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it. But I do want to say Thank You.

You’ve seen me through the crumbling of my marriage, the loss of my dreams, and the rebuilding of new dreams. You’ve witnessed firsts, nexts and lasts with me. You’ve seen my babies grow. You’ve laughed with me and you’ve cried with me. You’ve grieved for me and you’ve been champions for me. You’ve loved me through my worst and encouraged me at my best.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Thank you for supporting me through one of the most difficult years of my life and for becoming part of my heart. Thank you for holding space for me in your hearts and for allowing me to cry, laugh and pray for you as you have done for me. You inspire me. You strengthen me. You make me brave.

I would continue writing even if no one ever read a word of it. But the fact that so many people have found my blog and let me into their lives because of it… I have no words.

God has used this space to heal me. To mold, sustain and rescue me. To redeem and change me. But beyond what he has done to me, he has used this space to do things through me. To connect to other human beings on such a deep and personal level, and to be given the gift of sharing in each other’s pain, joy, and sorrow is truly divine. I’ve gutted myself in front of you and rather than turning away, you’ve poured your guts out too. Walking amongst that much truth, that much beauty, and that much strength… It’s holy ground.

Not because of me, but because of you!

So thank you! This space would be much less beautiful and far less meaningful without you in it!

Here’s to bleeding hearts, taking off our shoes and walking this holy ground together.

XOXO,

Rachael

As always, thanks for reading and don’t forget to vote!