When Bloggers Meet

I had the terrific experience of meeting Amy Beth today. She and I have corresponded via e-mail for a few months over our mutual passion for ministry to young women. Several weeks ago she let me know that her ministry would like to supply Christmas gifts for the 40 residents of the children's home where I am involved.

She showed up at the home today (from another state 90 minutes away!) with a car LOADED with 120 beautifully wrapped gifts! (This is my mini-me, K, with AB and a few of the gifts.)

We were able to have lunch and chat (as much as my little people would allow). Oh, how I wish we had been able to talk all day. This young woman is a rock star. She loves the Lord with a complete pouring out of her life!

I have to admit that I had to pray over my nervousness this morning. I hoped she would find me to be the 'real deal' that I had not in any way misrepresented myself on the blog.

She is a hair girl--and I am not--frequently only managing a messy ponytail. What would this cute, single girl think of my dirty-faced children or my disgustingly dirty kid-mobile? Or the fact that we spent the better part of the afternoon in a grungy McDonald's playground so the children would be distracted enough that we could talk?

And you know what? It was all good. If she was cringing on the inside, she did not let it show.

As we talked we were able to expand on things we had read on each other's blogs...and were reminded that blogging is only a 3-5 minute glimpse into people's 24 hour days. There is always more to the story that the public nature of blogging does not allow for. We spoke of how as women we should appreciate the kinship blogging allows us to experience with one another...but never forget the people on the other side of the screen, pecking away at their keyboard, are multi-dimensional--with struggles, weaknesses and stories we will likely never know.

May we share our lives in a way that encourages, rather than in a way that seeks to impress or lead others to feel like they aren't WHATEVER enough. May we refrain from judgment. And may we never forget to have 'real life' relationships with women we can sit across a table sharing coffee with!

As Amy Beth left today, my little R said, "Mommy, I weally like being wiff Amy Beff!"
Me, too!