She has a story to tell

I’ve been tagged. In blog world, another blogger can “tag” you with a subject they have written about, and then you have to write about that subject. Once you have written about the subject, you tag someone else to write about it next. I was tagged by my friend, Slade. I’ve mentioned Slade here many times, and I’ve linked to his work more than once. He’s an amazing talent and an even more amazing person. I promise that Slade is the only person in the world who could tell me he chats regularly with the Virgin Mary and have me believe him. I do believe him. And knowing him has made me a better person - not just because of the whole mama of Jesus connection either. So, I was both honored and terrified when he tagged me. Even more terrified when I went back and read some of the work of the person who tagged him. Wow. Am I boring or what? Anyway, here goes.

I think I’ve fretted over this long enough. I’ve been trying for days to come up with the most true, most eloquent and most meaningful thing to say about why I blog. But really the whole thing boils down to this natural motion in my life lately…this pushing forward that I sometimes feel I have no control over – except I created that motion, I do maintain it, and oh, how I LOVE it. The truth is I can’t not blog. I have arrived at this place in life where I really can’t contain myself, so parts of my self have to spill over…in the form of a blog, in the form of scrapbooking, and in the form of fully participating in life – finally.

I’m guessing if you came here as a result of the last couple of participants in the tag and you just read the word “scrapbooking” you are going back to make sure you have the right URL. And the fact that I had to think extra long and hard about what I would say here after reading the last couple of participants’ blogs is part of the reason I felt I had to say something. See I didn’t get a visit from Apollo or the Virgin Mary. So right off the bat, my part of this isn’t nearly as exciting. That intimidated me – the fact that the others have these “out there” experiences to discuss. If that’s what you are looking for here, you won’t find it. And that bums me a little, too. I wish the whole thing could be a little more exciting.

I’ve kept a journal most of my life. So, in a way, I’ve been blogging all along. When I go back and read those journals, I am overcome with emotion. I knew from an early age that I had the luxury of being completely honest in my diary. And unlike some of my friends, I didn’t care if my mom found the thing or not. As I look back over the pages I see myself turning into what I am today. For some reason, that fascinates me. I see myself struggling with the very issues and beliefs that now define me, and if I hadn’t written about them, I doubt I would remember the details of my thoughts and fears and worries.

Here’s the deal. I blog because I have a story to tell. The story is about this smart little girl who grew up surrounded by crazy making people, ridiculous situations, and complete dysfunction. But by the grace of God, she made it through and had lots of help along the way from angels placed in her path. And because of these angels and the God she worships, she lived to tell her story. Sure, there are more exciting stories, there are more awful stories, and there are certainly happier stories – but for some reason, she has been “asked” to tell this story. And maybe that’s because it will help others, but it’s probably because it helps her to be the adult she always knew she could be.

And maybe I am on a mission. I just admitted that I feel I was “asked” to tell my story, but the fact I can’t relay this tale of a really cool ghost or saint or what have you visiting me late at night and giving out some spiritual directive makes me hesitant to claim my cause. Growing up in a Baptist church and being the teenage super Christian that I was has made me both wacky and sane. I forget sometimes that I am “different” from most Baptists or even most Christians, and I wonder if that’s the mission I am on. I don’t know. I’m sure I will figure it out soon enough. I do know that I have to show up here. It’s part of me now. Part of what I do and who I am. And I rather like that.

So here’s the part where I tag the next person. And she may think I am completely off my rocker, but I am tagging Katie. I met Katie through scrapbooking and I like her. I don’t really know her yet, but I can tell we would be friends if given the time and proximity. I love reading her blog, The Burrow, and I think her take on why she writes it will be interesting – even if she hasn’t had a visit from Mary. She's really into Harry Potter...is that out there enough for you? Take it away, Katie.

Comments

[Slade]

One of the main reasons I chose to tag you is to show you off, to jump and down and say "Hey, look! Some of the people who love me most are NOT Out There!"

Because it's important for me to stress that the connections we make and the messages from the deepest part of ourselves are NOT found in a bong hit, mushroom cloud, or religious fit. The voice of your spirit is not a booming loudspeaker from Heaven attached to a Bearded Man or a Fat Lady in the Sky.

It IS more real than that. The Message is always translated -- sometimes it's packaged by your guru, sometimes it's a slap from your Mama.

I chose Mandy because there is great power in seeing the Spectrum of these Messages -- the range of the forms they take.

I knew also that it would be easier for you to transform the package entirely, that it would actually be easier for YOU to NOT be tempted to make those comparisons between the way we speak from the heart.

I wanted everyone to see What I Might Sound Like if I showed my sugar in another candy bar.

There's still a sweet spot, and it's the variety of forms that make Willy Wonka's Factory a Heaven.

The Choices of Voices. There's a Diversity Training Seminar in there some where.

And, for the record, take 2 steps away from my Space Flight and you'll find another blogger with his heart in his mouth and his feet on the ground, too:

Adam's Peace
http://www.adamspeace.com/blog/2007/02/28/why-do-i-blog/