why the name "real through random"

When my friend told me months ago "you really should start a blog!" I was really unsure. I knew what happened the last time I blogged, I got OBSESSED and it didn't always result in awesome for life around me. 

At the same time...I missed writing. I had written a few blogs for the Known conference and felt the heart stirring excitement over writing. I had already heard in my own mind and heart...you should start a blog. My friend's nudges only nudged my own.

I really started truly praying about a blog. If it was a good idea. If I could do it without becoming obsessive. I then decided...I could not start a blog unless I had a name for it. With the last name Popp, everything I've ever done has included some sort of "Popp" in it. My previous blog was named "Popp-ing out one letter at a time". I've had "Popp-ing off the hook" for a crocheting business. "Popp-Stars" for my direct sales business team name. "Popp of Heart" is my current crafty business name. 

Nothing with Popp came to me, though. I honestly figured it was a "closed door" to the blog. One day I was writing in the front of one of my journals. It's the journal that I carry with me in my Bible bag and purse. It's the journal for those "I need to write this down!!" moments. The exact words I wrote: 

"This book of random belongs to: amanda popp

Please return to her if you find it. Go ahead and page through, find encouragement and real through the random. my heart would be that you realize you're not alone on this crazy journey. ♡ ap"

I stared at the words I just wrote and was like...WAIT!! Right there! There's a title. Real through Random. I started picturing fonts in my head of what "through" would look like, it definitely needed to be in cursive. Real and Random just needed to be simple.

The next day I sat and thought about the title some more. I couldn't get it out of my mind. As I sat, the "tagline" came to me. 'random thoughts & the realness of God'. I wanted everything I wrote on my blog to to focus on God. The title "Real though Random" didn't speak to that, but when God gave me the "tagline"...I absolutely knew... THIS WAS IT! I had a title for my blog. 

I messaged my friend that had been encouraging me about writing a blog the title and tagline and she loved them. She absolutely the friend who would tell you if it wasn't good, so I believed and trusted she'd give her honest opinion. (You absolutely need friends who aren't afraid to tell you the truth!)

I messaged her last week. And last week, I sat and played around with exactly WHERE does one blog nowadays...and for free, I'm not in the place to pay money for a blog or my own website or anything fancy like that! (truth be told, I don't even feel "good enough" to be one of those fancy people)

I honestly don't even know if blogs are as big of a "thing" as they were when I blogged before. I don't even know if people read them like they used to. Truth be told, I didn't even THINK of that until a friend asked me that yesterday! (You know, yesterday, after I just started this blog. lol) I took a moment to think about it and responded this to her question: "I literally have no clue. I more want all of "my stuff" in one place, too. So the blog will help that. My "God-sized dream" would be to turn the blog into a book, with the same title."

So, yeah, that's out there now, too! A book. My 4th grade self is jumping up and down next to me because she was going to write a book some day! My 6th grade self is rolling her eyes at her, but totally geeking out inside, because she was absolutely going to write a book some day! My 39 year old self is like...girls...settle down! Life is a bit insane, but let's see what God can do! (as she smiles down at those little girls with the same dreams and goals still in her heart)

What happened next with that friend is absolutely confirmation to my heart to not "be quiet". She privately messaged me and ended her message with "I just wanted to say thank you for posting. God uses you in so many ways to speak to me." 

THAT is my heart behind Real through Random. That God would use me to speak to you. To speak truth to your heart. To speak love into your life. To speak all the things that He wants me to speak to use to impact you. 

So, while I'm super random...the realness of God is what I want to be shown even more. I pray that He will use that super random to speak of His (amazing) REAL to your heart. I want all that I do to bring glory to HIM and not to me. 

1 Corinthians 10:13--So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

This blog is a "whatever you do" situation for me. I want it all to bring glory to God. I want you to see that He deserves the glory because of the realness He shows and is. He IS good, even when situations don't feel that way. I promise. I can promise because HE promises that. (Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.)

So, friends (we're friends already, right?!) that's that. WHY? the name Real through Random. 

until next time...♡ ap