In Review

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inChristian Living, Memoir, PrayerTags:, , , , ,

Oftentimes people make an assessment of their personal lives or businesses during the beginning of a New Year similarly bloggers may make an assessment of their posting stats. Looking back at an overview can reveal growth, strengths, and weaknesses, or aid in discerning if headed toward the intended goal.

A little history: When I started my blog, in April 2020, it was in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s directive to write. Following the death of my husband, years prior, I believe God told me to write my story. I had never formally written anything. Yet, as a teen, I remember having some sort of desire to write. Maybe it was sparked by positive remarks, from teachers, on the margins of high school papers. Kudos to teachers who affirm gifts in their students! Unfortunately, few of those occurred because my primary objective in high school was not academia it was to get out. I found school boring unless it involved art. Ha, how little I knew back then—writing is a creative art involving spelling, grammar, linguistics, etc. If I could do a repeat, I think I would pay better attention.

Growth success: In 2022, I submitted a few writings for possible publication in a print 365-day devotional book. I was honored to have one selected that is being published in April this year. Shortly after signing that first contract, I signed another similar type that will be published in March 2024. When each book becomes available, I will share the detailed news.

My writing year in review: Those that write on a routine schedule know the time involved to do so. I became aware the more I write, the more I read. Both take time and I had several events in 2022 that required devoted hours of time outside writing such as a secondary seasonal job. It became obvious there was an imbalance in my life. I struggled and wrestled with the fact I was unable to keep the pace of a weekly post.

Assessing realignment: When life gets out of alignment, like a car, we get pulled off course. I began blogging for the glory of God and obedience to Him. I asked myself, “if I force something to merely meet an arbitrary deadline, is that for God’s glory or Manette’s?” In the review of my stats, I’m surprised at what touches and engages people. The surprise is due to the truth Isaiah declared:

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts”
(Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV).

Gratitude and future: I’m grateful for God’s invitation, to each of us, to join Him in the abundant life described in the full chapter of Isaiah 55. I’m thankful that He is wiser than me. I appreciate you readers yet I must guard myself against writing for the accolades of man rather than God. That being said, my posts will be less frequent as I regain life equilibrium. How frequent is yet to be determined by the One in charge it may be biweekly [every two weeks] or monthly.

The concluding stats: I’m linking three posts with their ranking explanation and title. Clicking on a link will take you directly to that specific post.

All-time highest views: “Fork in the Road”
   This is a post about choices and decisions.

Most views in 2022: “Blackout Forgiveness”
   Despite the title, this post is about forgiveness. I share a creative form of poetry that generated further healing for me.

Most likes in 2022: “Real Freedom”
    This is a post about true freedom and liberty through the forgiveness of sins. Readers engaged by clicking a star most on this post.

Prayer:
Dear Father God, I trust You to guide and direct the topics and frequency I write. LORD, You are wise and Your ways are higher. Thus, You will take the Good News of the gospel of Christ to people everywhere by means of Your power, not mine. Let Your name be praised, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.


Five-star photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash.

Boy in a pink shirt and gray vest photo by Ben White on Unsplash.
Scripture quotation added by Manette Kay.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

26 thoughts on “In Review”

  1. It appears that you only post when you know God has something for you to say, Manette Kay. I welcome reading your content whenever you share it.
    Thanks for the links to your most engaging posts. I will reread them tonight.

    I’m glad you are here! God Bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Manette, congrats on getting two of your write ups published a bit later this year. It is good to evaluate and reflect on the reason we write and post.
    God bless you and may he continue to bless others through your writings.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Manu, I appreciate the community of writers on WP. Meeting kind, understanding, people like you. Though virtually, we can still spur one another on toward love and good deeds in service to Christ.
      Shalom dear, sister.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Good for you to move at the speed of the wind of the Spirit. Slowing allows us to go deeper, so He can intimately and ultimately go further with us. The old reader looks so familiar in your Blackout Forgiveness blog post. I think I have the same one from my grandmother’s collection of old books. They are so beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I know that I am more of a doer than a writer. I also know I should review as well. You do have gifts of both insight and writing them out Manette. Writing when God presses one to share makes sense to me. I am the worst role model of a scheduled writer but it’s easy when something needs to burst forth. I am one of few who only read what comes in my email as I rarely use the word press “reader’

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Gary, I so love your laid back easy going style. Someday, it would sure be a joy if the Lord wills, to visit you and your area (only in warm weather). Your photos and stories make it inviting. I often think it is the Spirit’s doing, “when something needs to burst forth.”
      Shalom to you, brother.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Manette. You are welcome for a visit anytime. Bring a camera. In all of my jobs I don’t think anyone thought of me as laid back. I get intense. When I am relaxing, I really am. I am glad that comes through.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I’ll write about it with pictures when I’m done. I work on it a few times a week as I have it insulated and I put a heater in it for comfortable working inside with the cold weather. It will be a small rustic in the woods feeling. I will soon be using it as a writers and personal retreat cabin on the side.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. I am thankful to Father God for my virtual connection with you Manette; your posts have always been a source of wisdom and encouragement, shining a light in life for your readers.
    I pray that His Spirit will sustain and lead you wherever He leads you each day, and that you will see the fruit of your labours for the Gospel, Amen 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Thank you so much Manette for sharing your review and reflections (and congratulations on being part of a printed devotional). For what its worth, I’ve always viewed your posts a Holy Spirit timed and not on a human time table. I think that is because the Lord has used each one to speak to my heart. Thank you for remaining faithful to writing all to His glory.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. I always enjoy your posts Manette, whenever you post them! You have lived wisdom and experience that is always an encouragement. 💕
    I don’t schedule either and I haven’t reviewed my stats, but maybe I should…it would be an interesting exercise. But for now, I’ll just keep popping out the occasional post as I feel led to!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Manette, I started blogging a month after you did. At first, I was blogging every week–a couple of times even twice a week–because I had so much to “get out.” By the end of 2020, I had settled on every other week, which has been good for me.

    I have sometimes been surprised at which posts have generated the most interest. One of my best friends asked me to write about the emergent church, which is my most-viewed post ever; I really didn’t expect it to be that popular. There was another one I wrote largely to clarify what I had meant in a previous post; it has continued to be very popular, #3 all-time. It’s about the three different kinds of divine love.

    I love your reason for blogging; that was exactly what I blogged about a year ago regarding my purpose in life. That one is my all-time most-liked post.

    Congrats on your two posts that will be part of devotional books, and may our Lord continue to guide us as we write, sister!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Keith, for sharing your experiences. For clarification, the two writings that are being published are not posts from my blog. They are uniquely written devotions fitting the publisher’s desired criteria. I’m hoping to do other submissions and writing, as the Lord directs or opens doors.
      Shalom, to you brother.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. You touch on an important issue, Manette. We can become so consumed with the task we think God has assigned us that we lose sight of Him. Blogging w/ the purpose of witnessing to readers, i.e. sharing the Gospel through the prism of our own experience, is an entirely laudable goal. But blogging can involve countless hours attempting to develop a readership through social media (a futile effort), wrestling w/ computer issues, fielding distasteful spam, and responding to hate-filled readers unwilling to accept the Word. The experience can distract, discourage, and even wound us which, of course, is Satan’s intent.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You are always very kind, Manette. Unfortunately, my browser will not let me “like” your response. Just another computer challenge (LOL). Please, do continue sharing your spiritual insights with readers. May God bless you.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. I have about 100 posts in progress, and I work on them until one is done, sometimes years later. It was something I learned when I took a journalism course. God makes no mistakes, so when it is the divine moment, trust the nudge.
    Peace

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: