Because it is, after all, Awards Season «

I am so grateful that this blog has been meaningful in some way to someone.

If you scroll down the page, you’ll see that I’ve actually won something! I hardly ever win things–to illustrate, I entered numerous giveaways in the last two Bloggy Giveaways without being chosen for a single item. But that’s okay, because I don’t really need anything.

Still, it’s fun to win.

For me, however, even better than winning a beautiful set of earrings or an adorable tea cozy or a great book or an iTunes card, is knowing that I’ve been a part of someone’s life in some way. The blog has allowed me a way to connect with people and share my faith, thoughts, ideas, revelations, concerns, and even a little fun.

So when somebody passes along an award, I’m humbled. Grateful. Delighted. And I once again marvel at the connections that these blogs build.

I’m supposed to pass along these awards to others, following the expectations or rules that accompany it. I’m afraid I’ve dropped the ball on that, so I’m going to try to catch up today.

Let’s start with the Rockin’ Girl Blogger award that was passed to me a while ago–like, a really long time ago, from Heather L. at It’s All for the Best. Thank you, Heather. Apparently, I’m a slacker-rockin’ blogger. In fact, I’m so late, maybe I’ve lost the honor?

Anyway, I have to admit that I’m not entirely sure what the rules are–how many blogger recipients should I list, for example? And what, exactly, constitutes a “rockin’” blogger? The best I can tell is that it should be someone who exudes some energy and fun from time to time.

Check out the following bloggers and see if they inspire you to crank up the radio and dance around the kitchen…maybe fling your hair around to a heavy downbeat. Here you go, you two Rockin’ Girl Bloggers! Grab the pink award and make us dance:

Home Sanctuary: With the word “Sanctuary” in Rachel Anne’s blog name, you may not get the impression she’s rockin’ out, but her Company Girls program is a fun idea and her tone is extremely encouraging. Plus, she’s got a music widget and selects energetic, often themed, music to fit her posts that always makes me smile.

One Thing: Jenni’s full of surprises. I never know what to expect when I pay her blog a visit. Sometimes it’s a series of great photos with amusing captions, other times it’s thoughtful poetry or a profound essay. And sometimes it’s just a silly story that makes me laugh. She gave me a scare a while back when she threatened to stop blogging. Thankfully, she stuck with it. Rock on, Jenni!

Next award, Blogging with a Purpose.

Like Merchant Ships practices cheerful frugality–discovering God’s plenty, secondhand. She explores the area where frugal living intersects with simplicity and contentment. She sticks to that purpose and demonstrates it vividly with great writing and gorgeous photographs. Makes me want to rush off to Goodwill and hunt for silver serving dishes…not that I don’t do that anyway….

Holy Experience draws us into her mind, heart and soul with purpose and grace. She is sharing her daily spiritual journey powerfully and poignantly. She’s not out to strategically reel in readers with programs, though she did set up the encouraging One Thousand Gifts concept inviting people to practice gratitude. Instead, her purpose is expressed in her header in words borrowed from Frederick Buechner: “…listening to my life…for whatever of meaning, of holiness, of God there be in it to hear.”

Holy Experience awarded me this for spreading the love of Jesus. I don’t hold a candle to her outpouring of poetic and prayerful devotional depth. It’s a lot to live up to, Ann. I’m honored. Read above and below to see that I’m sending back my admiration.

Hope Road is a blog written by a college senior named Anna. She explains that the name of her blog is “Hope Road” because “I’ve been rescued from the broad road that leads to destruction, and graciously placed on the road that leads to life. While some may see this path as being confining and restricted, I see it as freeing, and ultimately, as full of hope. Without my Savior, I would have no future, no promise, no life. So it is in gratefulness to Him that I look at my life and the world through the lens of hopefulness.” I’m refreshed, inspired, and encouraged by this young woman’s faith. In the midst of studies and major life choices, she’s spreading the love of Christ on the blogosphere.

Andrea, the Flourishing Mother, shares her life and faith on a blog that reflects her everyday life as a mom and her rich relationship with Jesus Christ. Sometimes one of her posts will offer a devotional thoughts or nourishing recipe; other times, a story about her kids. You might even find a book review. Overall, though, her flourishing life is flourishing because of her faith in the King.

Chrysalis awarded me an E for Excellence! Thank you!

She reports that according to the rules, this award must be passed on to ten bloggers who have blessed, inspired, and encouraged me. Ten! Oh, boy, how can I limit this to ten? Nearly every blogger I visit, even if I don’t agree with everything that he or she writes, has said something to bless, inspire or encourage me. Check out my blogroll for an extremely wide range of bloggers from all walks of life. They all get the award.

Without meaning to take away from others, here are a few Excellent bloggers I’d like to highlight:

Holy Experience again. Truly excellent.

Toddled Dredge: In spite of seeing her link on many blogrolls for years, I’m a fairly new subscriber to Veronica’s Toddled Dredge. I don’t know why I waited so long! I really enjoy her writing. So far, everything I’ve read is Excellent.

Lifenut. “Action is Eloquence,” she claims in her header. Yes, that’s true. And I would suggest that thanks to her writing, her blogging is also eloquence. It’s funny, too. She’s a clever girl.

You won’t find this guy on my blogroll, but I stop by his site from time to time: John Shore. He’s a professional writer and speaker, and writes bold posts with attention-grabbing themes. People get really involved in the comments, often because he will have written something utterly unexpected about writing, life or faith that really got them thinking. Maybe they vehemently disagree and want to explain their opposing stance. Or maybe they are delighted to see someone writing about his Christian faith with such creativity and energy. He’ll get you thinking, and if for no other reason that that, I’m awarding him an E for Excellence.

There is so much excellent writing out there on the Web, people. As you have probably already discovered, there are some big-name, Top Bloggers out there who demonstrate excellence and often a very defined purpose. I just figured they’ve been awarded so much that their blog-display case is packed full. Nevertheless, they fit the criteria.

Because you’re probably already familiar with them, I’ll simply list them for easy access:

I find them all, in very different ways, to be Excellent and Blog with Purpose.