Facebook has a feature for page-owners called "Pages to Watch" ... so I can choose to stalk other pages and how many likes they have and try my best to keep up.
Totally transparent time: this has absolutely been my goal before. Way more times than I'd like to admit, so I'll just tell you it's happened before. And while big "like-spurts" are honestly very exciting, a whole week going by with only 3 new likes (and Facebook reminding me of the percentage I've gone down) is not nearly as fun.
I've come to learn something - If this "track other pages so you can keep up" deal were really my goal, I can't imagine the constant state of disappointment I might feel.
At the end of the day, the number of Likes on my page is truly meaningless.
Don't get me wrong, I am SO thankful for all of you who choose to "like" and support me & my work (so encouraging!) but man, there is such a fierce competition to keep up with whoever is ahead of you in some way...and it's very easily discouraging when we choose to focus on it.
Jesus made ME to be Kari Rae - a follower of Him, a faithful wife, a loving foster mommy and relative of all kinds, a devoted friend, a trustworthy mentor, and a joyful honest photographer. To the best of my ability, I will be THAT Kari Rae. Isn't that calling enough? When you start counting all the people involved in those titles of mine, it can be overwhelming. How thankful I am that He promises to be with me always. How beautiful that I don't have to do it alone (and in fact, I'm encouraged to not even try!).
Anyway, the moment I start playing the comparison game is the moment I lose the clarity and purpose behind my incredibly high & beautiful calling.
May I never (better yet, may all of us here never) jump in on the "Pages to Watch" game; on Facebook or in real life.
I was created to be me; the only thing to watch is the path Jesus is laying before me. And when I am following that path, the most adventure, the most joy and the most abundant life are bound to come. He promises it! And He's never failed. I'm pretty sure He won't start now with me (or with you).
