I actually JUST blogged about this same issue, because I was struggling with it too. The creative activities that bring me rest are writing, reading, and music. I’m trying to get back to having more of that in my daily life.

I really appreciate this post. The timing is so perfect for me. A lot of people ask me why I blog, and now I have the perfect response, “Creative rest!” Because it is not about the numbers. Thank you!

It is so easy to try to live life by the numbers. I do it and find that it stresses me out. There’s not much rest there and I forget to live in and enjoy the moment when I’m too wrapped up in numbers.

This is so good. Blogging is my outlet and I pray it helps someone else but it helps me more than anyone. And to be honest if it helps one person if it’s me then, it’s accomplished something. Numbers aren’t important.

Sometimes we just need to stop and sit down and play a little.

Refreshing perspective — I came back to read it a second time today.

I have a hard time keeping up with weekly postings -for any topic- because I feel pressured to write something, even when I can’t think of anything to write. Which is why I don’t always join in here – and why I didn’t this week! Not because I didn’t have anything valuable to say; because I needed rest from the pressure of performing. (No pressure from you, just the high standard of excellence I put on myself. Half hearted is not good enough for me!)

I did think about rest this week. A lot. I jotted down some thoughts, but one thought really grabbed hold: If we are always doing something, always creating – whether it’s writing, sewing, painting, whatever, then there is no time left to gather new ideas for new projects. It’s in the in between times – the rest times – that the new ideas come.

I’ve found in writing about faith that when I pour my soul out through the keyboard, it takes me a couple of weeks to recover. That time is just what I need, though, to do it all over again.

Analytics can be a bit of a bugaboo. My brother controls my access to my blog’s analytics. It’s both a blessing and a bane. The numbers are interesting, but because I can only see them 4-7 days after a post, I don’t obsess over them. Maps have always fascinated me, so getting that map and seeing all the different places in the world where people have been reading the words I put out there is a lot of fun. I miss the access to the interactive map, though. I like being able to guess who read in different cities—that’s the bane.

Not having direct access to the numbers helps keep them from being my goal. I write because the words need a place to go. Having people read them and respond to them is an extra blessing.

I’m late, but I’m here. 🙂 This month I have some big pressing deadlines, so rest is hard to come by. Next month I’ll be buried in a new project that I hope goes faster than I expect. But I’m trying to snatch moments of rest here and there so I don’t deplete myself. My post is about one little moment I grabbed last week.

Well, I am a little late this week as I was last week, but this exploration into rest has fit so naturally with what God has been speaking to me already. I think this is what I would have been writing about this month even without the prompt. I am grateful however to be able to read so many others’ thoughts on the matter though as it is so very relevant. Gotta love the JAM!

Reading a good novel or short story or blog by someone whose writing skills send goose bumps through my soul soothes and refreshes me. The turn and color of these words thrill me and fill me with awe. They give a glimpse of something I may not have thought about or seen and bring into focus one more tantalizing thing in life and in faith. Words have almost magical powers for me because if they are communicating from a deep place within another person, I learn just one more precious truth. Through this kind of experience, I come away enriched and deeper…changed and recreated.

I’ve been reading a lot about “SEO optimization” and “creating high-traffic content” to prepare for launching a faith blog. And honestly it’s left a bad taste in my mouth.

But you’re so right. Blogging for faith is an entirely different ballgame. It’s so easy to get caught up in building numbers and stats, but faith by its nature demands authenticity. Thank you for this breath of fresh air!

Thanks so much for this! I am reading it a bit late, as we were gone for a week to visit our daughter & family in Dallas. I loved your words on blogging … thinking of it as creative expression, and “resting in God’s pleasure”, using our gifts and passions for Him. There is such a pull to focus on the numbers … thanks for your refreshing words. My “rest” in creativity often comes from … blogging, scrapbooking, card-making, reading, journaling, and seeking to be creative in cooking and other areas of homemaking. Thanks again … I am refreshed by your words and by the other comments left here …

Bonnie, I love this {like you’ve ever written anything I haven’t loved}!! Truly, you explain better than most why and how God sees our individual hearts, not our stats. Just like when I do the dishes or laundry or a hundred other things at home, I want to write for His pleasure…as if He’s the only one watching. Although I certainly enjoy writing more than laundry.

Just sayin’. 🙂

Love you, girl!

I love this Bonnie. I love blogging and sharing what God is teaching me through His word and experiences with others yet at times I wonder if it is really worth it and I think of that one comment I receive and it makes it worthwhile. My creative outlets are journaling, reading, journaling and baking Paleo friendly goodies.

Thank you for reminding us the importance of not focusing on numbers.