Last night on my Facebook page I posted THIS touching video about a sweet young couple who are true examples of love.
I was surprised this morning when I woke up and saw that nearly 10 people had “unliked” my page. In the history of my Facebook page, this has never happened. It may not seem like a huge deal, but when my numbers have continually gone up for months and months, it was quite the shock.
My initial response was, “ouch!”
My 2nd response was to feel offended.
But my last response was to say, “My identity is in Christ. I don’t need everyone in the world to love me. I know who loves me, and His love is sufficient for me.”
I had a large influx of “likes” last week due to some recipes being shared on other blogger’s pages, and I believe they came to my page intending to find only food-related info. I try to be as honest and up front on my page as I can, so people don’t feel I am misrepresenting myself–sharing food recipes, but preaching faith. I let readers know that my blog is about “faith, family and clean food.”
To be honest, I hesitated to share my Prayer Warrior Monday post today because I felt such a sting from the exodus of people.
But I can’t hide who I am. I hope I never come across as judgmental, preachy or as a hypocrite. I truly just love God and want everyone around me to feel His joy, regardless of their journey. And I want to help people on their journey to eat a cleaner diet. Whether you are a Jesus follower or not, I still want to pray for you. Even if you don’t believe in God, even if you hate God, I still care about you. And I hope that you feel the same way. My view on “religion” comes down to two things:
Love God, Love People.
That’s it. Everything I share on my blog I do from a heart that loves God and loves people.
So, I hope you stick around. I hope that my worldview and opinions don’t steer you away from my blog. I hope my recipes, honest posts about my life and a feeling of acceptance on my blog keeps you reading and dialoguing with me.
~Shanti
Michelle says
Hi Shanti – I love your posts – don’t stop. Keep being real and in love with Christ. There will always be haters and nay sayers…unfortunately that is just the world we live in…pray for those who left, who knows the reasons for it…if it is b/c of the video you posted…then, they shall receive my prayers too! Take care, keep blogging and share the faith! Yours in CHRIST! – Michelle
Elena Marshall says
Shanti, thank you for being you! I’m sorry to hear about the responses you received, but I can’t say I’m surprised. Sad, but this is the age we live in. I find my blog is affected by my faith as well. **But, good news! I’m sure your #1 reader is proud of you glorifying His name! ;o) Keep up the good work sister! In Him, Elena
Alysia says
Hey,
Just wanted to let you know that I feel inspired by your blog and the fact that you post about your faith as well as food. I initially was led to your blog through food related posts but was SO excited to read that you were a follower of Christ. I’ve definitely hesitated before to post about faith related topics on my own blog and have even considered completely disregarding it all together but the fact that you run a successful blog while still posting about your faith has helped reassure me that it can be done! Keep it up.
Alysia
Lisa Howard - YuppieFarmGirl says
DON’T Stop! You can only be YOU! Keep up the great work! I love your blog and so do the thousands of others that follow you. A lways remember that.
robin says
Hi Shanti- I know it’s painful when people unsubscribe or unfriend or stop following you. Honestly, it means that you’re headed in the right direction. I’m not saying that you should try to be offensive. But, when you’re living a countercultural life and writing about it, people are going to take shots at you. Between homeschooling, living on one income, living on a budget and adoption, there’s a lot about your lifestyle that is different from the average Joe- which is a beautiful thing. You are awesome, and I love what you’re doing. For some, it’s going to be too convicting- and it’s easier to just not have to look. A few years back, our family was in an article in our local paper, and people said awful things about us. They took shots at our faith and our intellects. They said that we were self righteous. I went to people who had been doing this a lot longer than I have, and they’ve all been there. I think it’s just part of the gig when you’re off the map of what most people are comfortable with. Whether it’s a nasty comment or people leaving your site, it’s painful. Keep going, Shanti! I love what you’re doing!
Goldengirls59 says
I thought it was a great piece. It’s their loss that they are gone! Don’t be discouraged, Christ has overcome the world!
Jillian says
There will always be those who disagree with us. Can’t say it’s doesn’t hurt a little. 🙁 Hang in there and do what you do. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Just know you have our support! 🙂
Annette says
I wholeheartedly agree with Robin’s comment! I could not have said it better.
Ashley says
I read a lot of responses from fellow Christians, so I thought I would be the voice to speak up and say that even though I am not of the faith, I still enjoy your posts, whether they be recipes or in sharing your other strengths.
Integrity in your beliefs, and sharing the parts of you that make you a caring and wonderful person, make you someone to follow.
Keep being you. That’s all we really want. 🙂
SAHMmelier says
I take similar risks. It is a wine blog, but I often write about motherhood, personal struggles, etc. The process is cathartic. Sometimes I get a bigger response on those than on my wine pieces. Be true, be you, and don’t worry about the rest. For every 10 that leave, there will be others that add. Even if it makes a positive difference for one person, it is worth it, right?
Amanda says
To be honest, I almost unliked your page. I am not Christian and don’t particularly care to have that popping up on my news feed BUT I strongly believe that you have every right to post it. I applaud you for not being afraid to be you. I do enjoy most of your posts and recipes so I decided that I can just keep scrolling if you post something that I don’t agree with. I am sure that you did not start this page to win a popularity contest. You started this page to share your life and experiences with others so if someone chooses to walk away you can be ok with that.
Karla says
You are an excellent blogger! You have always been honest and up front about your faith, and I admire you for that. Don’t let it get you down.
Erin says
I am one of your readers who is not religious, I tend to call myself more spiritual. I am drawn to people who are open, honest, positive and with good morals no matter their faith. I have no problems with your more faith based posts, I either read them or skip it. While I joined for more of the your food posts, I stick around because I feel your family and overall path in life represents a good direction to head. Whether one arrives there through a Christian based faith or some other path it shouldn’t matter. I say do whatever works for you, be true to yourself. I think it’s better to have 20 followers who you feel close and aligned with rather then 100 who you find yourself compromising for.
Tracy E says
Keep at it, friend! You are an encouragement to the rest of us, and a true representative of Jesus Christ. Keep it real, Love God, Love people and just see what He does. You just never know!!!!
Maegan says
I wouldn’t take anything so personally. I get people who leave a lot and for different reasons. One of the big ones? People are constantly “quitting” Facebook (they will be back!) while “unlikes” everything they had liked. Some people (myself included) like a bunch of things on a spree and then realize it clutters their feed and go through and unlike stuff.
Really need to not put too much stock in it. Unless you can personally ask each person why they unliked your page, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions.