How do I even start this?

I’ve been praying over my blog.  Praying that it’s being used for good.  Praying that I’m able to “pen” my experiences, share with and inspire you by them.

I’ll be the first to admit, I love to get comments … I’m excited about my blog {‘specially the new design} … I like to browse my stats and see visitors from all over.  But I’m also trying to be careful not to put it first.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”  {Exodus 20:3} That’s a commandment.  And that doesn’t mean an alter with wooden statues you’re worshiping.

That means all the celebrity entertainment magazines, websites and blogs I used to be obsessed with frequent, but realized I needed to stop {about a year ago}, because the time I was spending perusing that gossip, I could be using to strengthen my relationship with God and my family.

Clothes, shoes, cars, people, things … anything or anyone you put before God, is considered a god.

That includes blogging.  So again … I try to be very careful to make sure I check myself and my intent here.

And that is why … I’m having a hard time with what I’m about to ask you.

I read Internet Cafe and am constantly filled and inspired by the words, stories, wisdom and faith I find there.  Well … on Sunday, they announced “Blessed Aroma – 2009“…

“It’s a way to showcase some of your favorite blogs who have encouraged you with their
written words and examples of faith in 2009. This is a chance to showcase some of the most encouraging
and inspiring blogs, and an opportunity to introduce our readers to some new and exciting ladies.”

It’s with more trepidation than you can possibly imagine … that I’m humbly asking you to nominate me.  It’s not a contest and there are no prizes.  The top 10 blogs in each category will be listed on a page on their site, as a source to find inspiration.

In thinking and praying about whether to move forward with this and solicit your nominations … there was whole “which category” do I even think I should be nominated under?  And then the “lesser” side of me thought, “I wonder which category would be the underdog, giving this blog a better chance of being in the top 10.”

Yeah … there goes my thinking … to the place I’m trying to be careful it doesn’t go.

Anyway.  I enlisted the help of a friend.  To not only run the idea past … but also help me with the category.  Along with 2 others, one of my suggestions was the “Cup of the Day” blog.

Cup of the Day Blog
This blogger is the “cup” you couldn’t do without. You find yourself daily drawn in to sit a spell. You leave inspired and encouraged.

Why?  I’ve gotten many notes and messages from friends and readers that they are drawn to my blog daily.  And they are inspired … they are encouraged when they leave here.

My friend affirmed for me that this was the right category.  That she too, looks for her daily cup of inspiration here.  And that I shouldn’t feel bad to be asking for nominations … if I can get more readers and possibly inspire others … that truly is what my goal is about here.

And then my thoughts go back to … there are so. many. awesome. inspiring. blogs out there.  How in the world would mine ever be in the top 10?

If it doesn’t … that’s quite alright.  Then it just wasn’t part of the plan.

And so dear readers … I am ever so humbly asking you to nominate me for the “cup of the day” blog.  You can “vote” here until February 5.  I’ll also be tweeting and facebooking this {praying that’s not completely selling out!}.  And please feel free to tell your friends, tweet or even blog about it.  And yeah … okay, maybe that’s selling out just a little.  ;)