BarryBlog: People Notice. What Do They See?

When I began BarryBlog at the end of 2006, I never considered who, how many, or from where readers might come. Just like that first post about boxing, this blog remains a tool for me to record items of passion and personal interest, with the idea these items may also interest others. Nothing too complicated, and something I maintain without high expectation or reward.

An unexpected and surprising by product of the blog consists of new friendships and connections, new insights, and the occasional spike in interest by way of increased visits. Occasionally I am surprised too by an encouraging comment, which is always special and something I'm always grateful for. Especially as you consider how busy people are now a days, and how valuable time is.

But one thing which still blows me away is how far people come to visit my blog. And as I consider this, I begin to thinking seriously about the opportunity this represents. How do people view my blog? What is the takeaway? As a believer, I want to be a light. Are my words and actions glorifying to God? Do my interests and talents and what I share reflect one who lives to serve the Most Holy God? Am I too interested in things? In stuff? Do I reflect through my writing and sharing the things that are important to me deep inside? Does my outside add up? Or does the blog highlight some of my failures as a believer? As a person? Am I missing opportunities? Might what I've discussed or the perceptions people have fall short of where they should? Or could?

Well suffice it to say, these things are all important and weigh heavily on my mind. And in reality, this is not just related to my writing and sharing on BarryBlog. But my everyday interactions, and actions as a whole. They all matter to me. And to God. So as I share with you the list of all of the countries where people have come from to read BarryBlog, pray for me. My successes and failures are by no means critical to the overall work of the Kingdom, but I want like nothing else to be a light. Perhaps my transparency might be one way. Through what I do right. And what I do wrong.

So take a look at this list. A list of the different places where what I've written and shared has been read. BarryBlog readers have come from:

Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Palestinian Territory, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam.

My prayer as I ponder this list is that I'm given wisdom, and draw close to Christ as I continue to share the talents, interests and insights He lays on my heart. And with God's grace, in ways that glorify Him. Because as you can see from the list above, people do notice.