Winning & Losing Blog Posts!

This blog tells me how many reads each of the posts gets. Looking at the stats inevitably invites introspective insecurity... "Why didn’t they like that one??" / "Whom did I offend?" / "Was it boring?"

Of course, it’s a funny old unpredictable thing - who will read a blog post. I guess it depends so much on when I happen to link to it on social media / how busy people are that day / countless other factors. Plus, I don’t actually know quite how the Blogger "read count" works - does it register if someone reads the first two lines and then things, "Meh, this isn’t worth my time?" And then there’s the fact that people might not click on a link because the title or the picture is a bit lame, but actually they’d enjoy it if they did - who knows?!

Anyway, at the end of the day, I’m honestly not that fussed. I find the process of thinking and writing helpful for myself, and if a handful of people sometimes find what I write interesting or thought-provoking or encouraging then I’m very glad!

But because it does seem to be a bit of lottery who might see what when, I thought I’d announce the winners and losers as it currently stands! Idea being - maybe you just missed one or two that might take your fancy (or maybe you purposefully avoided some - and that’s fine!). Here they are:

Top 5:

1. Do Not Lose Heart (16 April 2016) - emerging from a discouraging experience.
2. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Questions to Ask a Returning Missionary (31 July 16) - written during home assignment in the UK.
3. I Will Love and I Will Miss (11 June 2016) - preparing to travel home for a bit.
4. Why You Must Unsubscribe From Emails (20 January 2016) - a slight change of tack caused by a book on productivity and experiencing different cultural approaches to technology.
5. When I Am Weak: Humidity and Humility (10 October 2016) - from the crucible of an extremely trying hot season!

Bottom 5: (aww...)

1. My Plan To Read (19 December 2016) - most recent, about a reading plan I’ve enjoyed.
2. Lord of All (30 September 2015) - my second ever blog post! Speaking truth to myself as I prepared to leave for the Gambia.
3. Ebenezer Who?! (16 October 2015) - giving thanks for God’s faithfulness upon landing on African soil.
4. Best Book on the Gambia? (8 December 2016) - also v.recent, some books that have helped me for life and ministry here.
5. Setting Sail (2 October 2015) - preparing to leave English seas on my cargo ship to Africa!

So - take or leave, to your heart’s content!