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Encouragement Hope Women Living Today

i think we’re doing this wrong

by 62 Comments

HHH Numbers Stats

But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I’ve been really stupid.” 2 Samuel 24.10

Uh-oh.

I received a free book in Saturday’s mail from a Consulting Company – the letter said I had won it; not sure of the contest but nevertheless, a book. At the end of the letter was this paragraph:

Do you have a blog? Please let me know if you are interested in reviewing faith-based, family-friendly products on your blog. Simply email ……., and include: your URL and the average number of web visits that you have every month.

Uh-oh.

Okay, here’s the deal: I have Google Analytics but I never look at them and when I do look at them? I have no idea what they are telling me! So, what do I tell DE at the consulting company? I’m stupid? (David made the same confession!)

I am making a proclamation today.

I blog because God told me to.

Before the days of the Internet, I sent out many queries and proposals to publishers, all receiving a polite rejection letter. Then, one day, the Lord spoke directly to me, “Write because I told you to.” “Yes, Lord.”

In 2007 I built a blog on multiply dot com – my cousins read it! But, it felt good to put my words on a screen and hit “publish.” In 2009, I got serious and hired someone to build my blog. God gave me the title, Hope Heart Home, and He said, “Write messages of hope, from your heart, and for the home.” “Yes, Lord.”

Because I am a faith-blogger it’s about obedience, not numbers. I am not going to make the same mistake that David made counting the people rather than trusting the God who had his back all along.

I am going to write until He tells me to stop.

I am not going to count daily visitors!

I am going to be faithful to His directive.

I am going to write until He tells me to stop. I am not going to count daily visitors! I am going to be faithful to His directive.

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Dear DE: My URL is hopehearthomedotcom and I have no idea what my average number of monthly web visits is; I blog because God told me to and who He sends over here to read? That’s His concern, not mine. I trust Him to take care of all that statistical stuff. I just write, and, in case you want to know why?

My heart overflows with a good theme, I address my verses to The King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45.1(NASB)

Rejoicing in Hope,

Susan

xo

Linking with Beth, Crystal, Holley, Holly, Jaime, Jennifer, Jenny, Kristin, and Winter.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love this! I don’t understand google analytics stuff too hahaha!!!.

    I also blog because I enjoy writing and sharing with a community of women who have similar real life challenges and love Jesus…It costs more now due to electricity, internet bills mostly, even though I am on a free platform.

    I am grateful to receive support from a friend and her Sisters fellowship to cover some expense. You know what Susan, if God is in it, then He will make provision. Let God lead and I follow.

    So no worries Susan, I pray you will find someone out there who will trust you enough to commit to some sponsorship on your blog because they believe in what you are doing and not in your statistics.
    The message should matter not the statistics.

    God Bless and thanks for speaking up about it.

    Reply

    • Ifeoma, God graciously makes provision for my blog by having an at-home, full-time job. I spend more money on my blog annually than I do on clothes!!!!!

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    • I think this counting thing, stupidity as David called it, can be blamed for a lot of failed efforts and frustration.

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  3. Love this, Susan! Google analytics can be so intimidating. I don’t have a lot of numbers to count, but sadly I have been known to focus more on them than the words… Trying to turn that around! Thanks for this encouraging and convicting post!

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  4. I can’t think of a better reason for doing what you do!
    What an encouragement your words are to me today — but that’s not unusual either!
    Blessings!

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    • My main Maine encourager – hubs & I want to travel to ME…in the fall – how ’bout some pizza on a Friday night? xo

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  5. You are talking to ME! I had to stop looking at analytics because I always walked away discouraged. On the rare occassion that I had a spike, I tended to pat myself on the back instead of giving glory to God. It’s not about the numbers! So glad to be your neighbor at Us, Coffee, and Jesus this morning!

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  6. I really appreciated this blog this morning. Life has been very hectic for us with retiring from our businesses closing offices and trying to sell our home. I enjoyed this blog and it is a good reminder for me: don’t count the people that come to see your house for sale. God will choose the right person at the right time. Thanks, Susie

    Reply

    • Oh my wonderful Boca friend… you know what I’m going to say…it involves God having a plan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going to go check on those peonies in a day or two – the doubles at the end of the holler aren’t in bloom yet either.

      Reply

  7. Beautiful, Susan, both your blog, your sentiments, and your heart. I’m writing, too, and it’s on a platform that doesn’t even have all the fancy stuff. That’s on purpose, to keep me honest, and to keep me about the writing. And when the Lord tells me it’s time to publish the address, I will do it gladly — without counting the statistics.

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  8. Amen, Susan. This is lovely, thank you for sharing. Obedience trumps numbers. I like how you say: who the people are is God’s concern. Love that verse. Thanks for sharing! ((grace upon grace))

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  9. You write with your heart. PERIOD! The numbers don’t matter only the content of which you have encouraged many over your years. Keep on keeping on my dear friend. Make us accountable with your words. Hugs n hope Hubs is having fun in the dirt. Lol

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  10. Not letting numbers control your emotions or defy status is a perfect realization! You have always written from your heart with confidence in knowing that you were ready with pen in hand! I find the only numbers worth energy are Biblical ones and you have that covered too!

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  11. I love your God-centered focus! You have been a wonderful encourager to me and so many others! I write because I enjoy encouraging others, sharing how God’s word has transformed me, and hearing comments from readers about how God’s word transforms them…that’s enough…I agree, all the efforts they recommend at writing conferences about “enlarging your platform” just didn’t feel authentic to me…so I’m with you sweet friend!

    Reply

  12. Susan,
    Just lovely! What an encouraging post, sharing your experience and perspective! I don’t look at my numbers either because I’d still write if no one but my family reads it. It’s where I meet God every week as together we craft words to write. Loved this!

    Reply

  13. Google analytics is confusing. I look at it and understand part of it, but not all. Blessings to you for blogging from your heart. Keep on keeping on! Hugs, Teresa from NanaHood.com

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  14. Susan, I love this so much! While it’s nice to have lots of people reading our blogs, it’s not the most important thing. I write because I want to encourage others and glorify God. Even if I have no readers I will still write, because I believe God wants me to write. Blessings to you! I’m glad we’re on this journey together! xo

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  15. Hey Susan, I rarely if ever look at mine either. But the other day I was working on a book proposal and needed to include some kind of analytics. So I looked and, like you, still didn’t know what they really mean. I’ve listened to Michael Hyatt and his podcasts and realize that I am no where near the numbers he throws around. But as you’ve said, it’s not about that as a faith blogger. We have ministry to do and if it helps one person, then we’ve done our job! Great thoughts, my friend!

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  17. Being a blogger like you it is so easy to get caught up basing my blog’s success ( or un-success) based on those #’s and not trust what God is doing behind the scenes :). It’s amazing how easily I forget who really is in control! Thanks Susan!!!

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  18. Oh friend, yes!! I’ll be honest. I look at my analytics once in awhile but just because I’m curious and no other reason. I wrote my book with my 2014 series because I felt it was for the good of the people; to help educate etc. The kick in my butt I needed was a mom from church who lost her daughter to suicide last Fall. Her daughter had mental health issues. I was telling her about my story and how I had contemplated turning my big series into a book. She simply said “I think you should!” And before I knew it I was pushing the submit button on Amazon to order my first proof copy! Oh and I love this so much: “Write messages of hope, from your heart, and for the home.” Love you!

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  20. Susan, I hear this SO loudly and clearly. Over the past few years it’s been easy to get caught up in the word “platform” or “analytics.” I get sucked in and immediately feel exhausted. (and I worked in the IT field for 16 years!) But I’ve had to just trust Him on this and do my thing. I write when I’m able to contribute and when I have it upon my heart to do so. It’s second to caring for my family and that is a full-time job in this phase of life. Thank you for reminding me that it’s ok to listen and obey, even if we feel the pull to join everyone else and try and push ourselves to the top (and against His will).

    I’m glad you write because He told you to…from your heart…and for my home. 😉

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  22. Wow, you have been blogging almost 10 years. That is so wonderful. I am glad God gave you the vision to write because you inspire me. 😉

    Also I love the verse. I am going to save it and memorize it.

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  23. Thank you for this great encouragement, Susan.

    Hmm, I don’t even know what Google analytics is…and my blog is hosted on a free site because I don’t have the funds for a paid one. I started writing because God called me to (just like you)..even though I didn’t want to share so vulnerably publically…but God was persistent!

    But my problem is that I see the numbers when I go to respond to comments….it’s the way WordPress works (at least mine). I have let it discourage me at various times, but so thankful God always turns me back to behold His face, to remind me it’s not about numbers, it’s about being obedient to the calling He’s given me: to sit with, listen to and encourage the hurting to the Glory of His Kingdom.

    And recently I’ve been reading through Jeremiah and it reminded me both of the pitfall of pride and idols (that I had fallen prey to) and also the call to persevere when you’re less than popular!! A message your blog post supports!

    Reply

    • Oh those idols, Anna…..and we’d be wise to take a longer inward look for some more of them. Amen?

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  25. Susan, it is such a joy to get to know you better! I found myself smiling and relating to so much of what you are sharing here!

    Thank you for the example of doing what God has called you to do and not getting pulled into the numbers!

    I appreciate you. I am sharing this today.

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  26. Oh my!! I found that I had to laugh out loud at some of this. Me…oh, me! I have been blogging for almost a year and I know the temptation to count the FB likes and comments and wonder who is reading. Thanks for this encouragement! No more fretting for me. You can go crazy with trying to “build a platform,” and strive to increase readership. I, too, am blogging because He has compelled me to. It is so exciting to see so many others doing the same! I think that between us all, He will reach whom HE wants, with what HE wants to say!! Loved this!!

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  27. (Here from hope*writers.)

    YES. I *do* pay attention to my numbers and it exhausts me and discourages me. All done. This was convicting. Thank you SO much.

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  30. This is great, Susan. I k ow my writing is God’s gift to do with as He chooses, as I am faithful. But I definitely get caught up in the numbers. This is challenging and convicting.

    Reply

  31. Love this picture of pure obedience, expecting nothing in return! Your writing teaches truth and inspires toward greater faith through your obedience and desire to listen to God in you:)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] Today, I want to share a few self-imposed blogging rules. These are my guidelines to having a successful blog. These have nothing to do with statistics or readership because I honestly don’t pay too much attention to either. (You can read about that here.) […]

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