Why I didn’t title yesterday’s post.

23May
by Jon Swanson

This is the 925th post at 300wordsaday.com, That total is approaching the 1173 posts over at levite.wordpress.com. I’ve also written another 100 or so other posts in a variety of places. So more than 2000 times in the last seven years, I’ve written a title and a block of text and then hit “publish”.

Until yesterday. Yesterday I wrote a block of text and hit “publish”, completely neglecting the basic step of writing a title. WordPress.com gave the post a number – 5585 – but that’s just for recordkeeping.

So why did I forget? Because it was late Monday evening when I was writing, I was tired, and I just forgot. I was pretty buried in the content of the post, thinking about seeing Jesus and following Jesus.

I noticed the missing title about 6 am Tuesday. I slapped my head. I groaned. I worried a bit about appearances.

Why didn’t I fix it right away?

  • Because it’s a great reminder to me that even things I’ve done over and over can be forgotten if I’m tired enough.
  • Because it’s a great reminder that this is just a blog, not something to panic about.
  • Because it’s a great reminder that I am not and will not be perfect.
  • Because it’s a great reminder that I am not a blogger, trying to perfect this craft. I am a guy who is trying to understand what following Jesus looks like and lives like. And in the process of living my way through the latter, I am going to make mistakes in the former. And the biggest evidence (to me) of the progress I am making in following Jesus is how I react to mistakes (like leaving the title off) and sins (like worrying about what everyone will think and whether my reputation will suffer.)

But I won’t forget again.

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16 thoughts on “Why I didn’t title yesterday’s post.”

  1. Joanna Paterson (@joannapaterson)'s avatar

    Joanna Paterson (@joannapaterson)

    That’s funny. In the feed reader it showed up as (title unknown) and I thought that was really thought provoking, because the post was deep, and thoughtful, and did really go beyond that a label or a headline. It lingered with me more I am sure because it didn’t have a title, because it’s a feeling and a desire that doesn’t yet have a title.

    Like

    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      Thanks, Joanna. I wish that it had been intentional, on one hand. On the other hand it really was growing out of thinking and wondering and so unintentionally, you were right.

      Like

  3. joseph ruiz's avatar

    joseph ruiz

    Jon, God works ALL things together for good thanks for simply being transparent and authentic about the journey – you are a breath of fresh air, titles/sans titles, etc etc.
    Like Steve, I didn’t really notice either but I did appreciate the content!
    Good reminder and a better lesson.
    Grace and Peace

    Like

  4. Lois Foote's avatar

    Lois Foote

    Thanks as always, dear Jon. Made my first mistake (yeah, right!) at 1st Wayne St a week ago–launched into the intro for the closing hymn when it was supposed to be the doxology. Had to start over . . . and yes, I did worry ab what people would think. An assistant pastor came up to thank me afterward, and when I apologized for my goof, he boomed, among other things, “Grace abounds here!” So I felt better, & am attempting not to focus selfishly now. Grace abounds to you, as well!

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    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      a perfect example Lois. I was in a church awhile back where the pastor who had been doing communion for decades served the cup first. It did make us think.

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  5. Cheryl's avatar

    cjhinx

    I noticed at first, thinking you had a reason for it, then got so caught up in the content I completely forgot about it. I agree with Lois–grace does abound here.

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  6. Cheryl's avatar

    cjhinx

    I noticed at first, thinking you had a reason for it, then got so caught up in the content I completely forgot about it. I agree with Lois–grace does abound here.

    Like

  7. Rich Dixon's avatar

    Rich Dixon

    I agree with others. I thought the “no title” thing was intentional, and I’ve been wondering about the hidden meaning.

    Another good lesson–sometimes things ARE just as simple as they appear.

    Like

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