When I stumbled upon my first blog link-up, I had no idea of the value, that could come from it. For those of you that do not know what a link up is- it is a place where bloggers can add their link to a post, they have previously published. You can see on my blog link-up page some of my favorite places where I frequently add my posts.
Little did I know that the investment of my time in joining with others would serve as such a great source of encouragement. Regardless of whether you are a writer or a reader, you will find value in participating in a blog link-up.
Encouragement for the Writer
At first, I timidly added my weekly post and hit the add button. With eager anticipation, I waited and wondered if anyone would even read what I wrote among the other posts. Not only did my fellow bloggers read what I wrote but they left such affirming, helpful and encouraging words. Their responses gave me the confidence and fuel to continue on the path of writing.
Link-ups also give the ability for posts to reach and grow a wider audience. It is pretty amazing to be able to encourage complete strangers with our words in far away places and nearby.
Encouragement for the Reader
As a reader, it a great place to find topics that interest you – all in one location. By looking through the many titles, you can find posts that will resonate with your soul, bring you encouragement, and where you can find community with people with the same interests.
The Value of Friendship
The very best part of a blog link-up has been the opportunity to develop some amazing new friendships through fellow bloggers and readers. Being part of a community of like-minded people is marvelous. If you haven’t yet joined our community at Embracing the Unexpected, I hope you will click here and sign up.
So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope, so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG)
Thank you for being a part of our community here at “Embracing the Unexpected.” Our website is a place where you will find us embracing life in the midst of the unexpected together.
Featured Posts
On some link-ups, the host will select a post to feature on their website. It is a great honor and source of encouragement when one of my posts is selected. A big thank you to the hosts. Here are a few of the places my posts have been featured.
Tell His Story – Literacy Musing Mondays – Moments of Hope – Grace and Truth – Faith ‘n Friends – Fresh Market Friday – A Proverbs 31 Wife
First Year Featured Posts
(Click the picture to read one you might have missed.)
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Maree,
I’m so thankful to have met you through my link-up! You have been such a source of encouragement for me. Each of your posts blare the hope of Jesus and touch my heart profoundly!
Hugs,
Lori
Lori – I feel the same way. I look forward to your blog posts every week. They speak to my heart and encourage me to walk closer with the Lord. I am so glad I found you and your blog link-up.
Blessings,
Maree
I feel like I have made lots of friends through link ups, friends like you! 🙂
Amen! I am so glad our paths have crossed. Maree
Hi Maree! I’m new to the blogging world, coming from the world of counseling and training… Much is new to me. When I heard about link ups, I was a bit uncomfortable because I didn’t know anyone so I kinda felt like an intruder… Lol! I’m starting to get the hang of it now. I really do enjoy reading others posts as well.. It’s usually something that I need at the right time. I hope to make some friends and valuable connections as you have. God bless and thanks for sharing!
Neca – Welcome to the blogging world. It is nice to meet you. I look forward to seeing you on some the same link-ups. Maree
I appreciate you linking up your great posts to Grace and Truth!! Thanks for sharing!
Aimee – I am so thankful I found your link-up. I love it. It has been great getting to know other bloggers. I admit it has taken me a bit to figure out that Grace and Truth is hosted on four different sites. Now I know I just need to make sure I have subscribed to your website so I can read your posts too. Thank you for all that you do. Maree
Hi Maree Dee! I agree- linkups have been so good for me to put my writing out there and meet other encouraging writers! Glad to be your neighbor today at Coffee For Your Heart!!
Amy, I am so glad our paths have crossed via the blog link-ups?
Maree, I so agree! I have been encouraged, inspired, and made friends through linkups. I only wish I had discovered them sooner. But the Lord knew and His timing was perfect.
Joanne, So true God’s timing is always perfect. Glad you participate, or our paths might not have crossed. Praying you have a fantastic day! Maree
I agree, blog linkups are great! I’m so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve been able to connect with and how those connections can grow into friendships as we continue to visit each other from week to week. The strength of the blogging community was the biggest surprise for me when I started blogging. Glad I’m next to you at Tell His Story this week. I always enjoy your posts!
Lesley – I never thought about it before, but yes, it was a great surprise for me too. I had no idea what a blogging community could do for each other. When I first started writing, I saw other bloggers as competition. I was so wrong; I love my blogging community.
Thank you for your kinds words. I always like to be your neighbor too. I look forward to reading your post.
It took me a very long time to get courageous enough to linkup. It has definitely made me step out of my comfort zone to leave comments on other blogs. I am so much better face-to-face. But it’s helped me grow as a person and also in my faith as well. I remember one of your posts on not judging others‚ which comes to mind all the time. Your words have spoken life and that’s awesome. Keep it up! 🙂
Kelly – Thank you for your encouraging words. You made my day that you remembered words I had written. I am so glad you stopped by and that we have the opportunity to get to know each other through blog link-ups. Blessings, Maree
Maree – I’ve been linking up for 4 or 5 weeks, I’m new to the link ups. I had no idea what a link up was but I kept reading about the power of connection through link ups. So, I jumped in and started linking up! Although I’m still wondering if I’m doing the link ups the “right way,” I’ve connected with some beautiful online women sharing God’s word through their platforms and I am grateful. I still timidly click the link button but each day I connect is a day of encouragement and blessings from a variety of beautiful women. Thank you for sharing!
Robin – Oh my now I am wondering if I am linking up the proper way. I like to follow the rules. I am so glad you started with the blog link-ups, our paths might never have crossed. Have a beautiful day! Maree
I have met a few very engaged and inspiring people in blog link-ups. Eventually I hope it drives more traffic but for now I am grateful for the few people who comment and stop by. Also by some of the amazing posts that I may not have otherwise come across. I too, felt encouraged by some of the kind words of bloggers from link ups 🙂 God Bless.
Visiting from Moments of Hope-Lori’s Linkup.
Deanna – I too hope it drives more traffic your way. In the meantime, I am thankful for the opportunity to meet people like you. Heading over to your site. Maree
Thank You Maree. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Deanna – Thank you my week has been a struggle but I have to say as I was just driving home I could feel God’s arms all around me, and I was filled with his spirit. I love it when that happens. I hope your week is good.
Thanks so much for this post, Maree because from time to time, I wonder the same thing. I’ve enjoyed the friendship and fellowship of linkups but have often let it fall to the side when I got too busy. Just today I was reminded when after haven taken a link-up break, I returned to find my post featured on Mary Hill’s Literacy Musing Mondays. It was such a sweet surprise and to me it said, ‘keep going, there’s always value in community’.
Blessings to you!
Marva | SunSparkleShine
Marva – What a nice surprise! I agree when I see people are reading or commenting on my posts it gives me that boost to keep going. Congrats on being select on Mary’s link-up. Blessings, Maree
Maree, It’s so interesting, but just the other day my husband asked me why do I participate in link-ups? I responded with the very thoughts you shared above!
My favorite blessing from participating in link-ups are all the wonderful friendships and kindred spirits I have made and met along the way. Truly an encouragement to keep writing for the Kingdom.
Thanks for sharing!
I agree participating in blog link-ups is an encouragement to keep writing. Thank you for sharing. Maree
Thanks for posting this! This is my first link-up myself and it is great to get connected with other bloggers and meet others who understand the journey. Your posts look great and I look forward to looking through the rest of your site! I would love to build friendships with other bloggers too (I so far don’t really know anyone) so feel free to come check out my blog too to get started! Thanks again 🙂
https://www.mylovelycrazylife.com
I will do just that. I am still a newbie, with only a year under my belt but anything I can help you with I am willing. Maree
Dear friend, I was SO sorry to read of the awful battle you are going through! Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment at my blog. I want you to know that I am praying for you. I can SO relate, as my family and I went through something similar and so horrific a couple of years ago. I will never forget the profound lessons God taught us through that trial, and I trust Him to be very near to you, also. God bless you and keep you and work all of this out for you. Keep encouraged! And, yes, I can totally agree with all you said about the benefits of linking up with other Christian bloggers. So thankful to walk this path with you and so many other precious writers!
Cheryl, Thank you for your kind words and prayers. I have no doubt God will be near. To be honest, your post pointed me to the right place “God, ” and a little-stolen money is not the end of the day. We have been through far worse. It is just darn irritating. Thank you for stopping by and your prayers they set my feet in the right place. Love link-ups for just that reason. Maree
I so enjoy “meeting” my friends each week while we hang out in blog link ups! It is everything you say it is here! Blessings!
Liz – I agree. I am so glad we got to meet. Maree
Maree I have found the link-ups to be pretty awesome. As a newbie blogger its a great way to discover new blogs as well as get to know members of the blogging community.
Shanique – I couldn’t agree with you more. How long have you been blogging? Maree
I’ve enjoyed growing in my own faith from Linkups. Every day, I come across something that speaks to my heart.
The women I’ve met have been great cheerleaders too.
Visiting from #GraceMoments
Absolutely in agreement with you. I am glad I met you this way too.
Linkups are the best, aren’t they? They made all the difference for me when I began writing again. So glad to have you as part of the #ChasingCommunity linkup! ((xoxo))
Brenda – Yes, Lin-ups are the best. Thank you for hosting #ChasingCommunity link-up. I look forward to it every week. Maree
This is so encouraging, because it does take time to participate in link ups. Glad to be reminded that it’s so worth while. And thankful for friends like you that I”ve met along the way!
Michele – You are so correct it does take time especially if you are a rule follower like me. My biggest problem is loving the link-ups but needing to devote a little more time to some writing projects but can’t quite figure out how to cut back on something I love. I am so glad I met you along the way. Love reading your posts. Maree
Maree, what perfect timing for this post. I actually only began following your blog last night and found it through a blog trail from Melanie Redd.com when she posted about the 100 Christian bloggers that she likes. Perusing those I came to http://www.faithalongtheway.com who was linked to your site and post ” Will you expose your imperfections.” My daughter and I have begun a “very new blog” together http://www.lifestyleinfocusblog.com and there is so much to learn and appreciate the amazing help that is available from other bloggers like yourself. FYI I printed off your Bible verses and encouraging quotes so I can be frequently encouraged. So thank you for this post today about blog linking – another entirely new territory.
Jenny, Welcome!! I am so glad you joined “Embracing the Unexpected.” I look forward to getting to know you. How wonderful you are doing a blog with your daughter, I am excited to take a look at your new blog. So glad you liked the verses and hope to see you linking up at some of the same places I do. Blessings, Maree
Hi Maree…I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments here. Linking up has doubled my traffic and given me a world of online friends. I was blessed to meet many of them at She Speaks 2017 too! I love linking up and I’m glad to have met you through linkups too!
Sarah,
I bet that was so much fun meeting each other at She Speaks. I have attended last year and loved it, but I had just started blogging. At the time I wasn’t aware of link-ups. Hopefully, I will be able to attend next year. I too am glad we have met through link-ups. I love your writing. Maree
Maree- I have loved meeting you and sharing in words about our Savior through link-ups! So glad you wrote about this. I’ll be sharing with some friends who ask me about link-ups!
Bethany – I have loved meeting you too. I just love blog Link-ups? I only wish I had learned about them sooner. Thank you for sharing. Maree