It’s 80 degrees in early April. The air is alive with the rejoicing of hundreds of frogs. Breezes blow through my hair and across the pages of my journal. The sun beats down hot on my bent head and God speaks.
Have faith, come to me. Lay aside your busyness. Put away the distractions. Give up all your idols. Lay it down at my feet.
Come.
Raise your face, meet my gaze. Seek me. Commune with me.
Look deep inside. I have started embers in your heart. They are glowing. Come to me, search me, know me. Trust me with your life. The glowing coals I have place in you will burst forth. I will fan the flames and My light will leap from your eyes. Burst forth from your heart till it consumes you, filling you, soothing you, urging you on to live for me.
My love for you is absolute. I am your covering. Wear me and know me. I will remove the enslaving fears and anxieties in you. Surrender is key. Trust me. I am your strong tower, your help and shield.
Come, the time is now. Sing a new song.
For months now I have felt the Lord urging me to lay my blog down. To walk away. For the past 3 years I have struggled with blogging becoming all consuming. I have used it as an escape. I have craved it for popularity and acceptance. I have spent hours absorbed when I should have been caring for my children.
It’s time to walk away. To lay aside my writing, for now. Will this be permanent? I pray not, I don’t think so, but I don’t know. Maybe it will be a couple weeks or a month, maybe more.
God is calling me to spend more time with Him. He is calling me to return to motherhood as it should be, not motherhood plugged in. And I am finally answering. Finally putting it aside, ready with open heart and listening ears for what He has in store for me.
The hardest part, for me right now, is that I will miss all of you. I will check up now and then, but I won’t be visiting every day. Which in return makes me worried wondering if there will be anyone left to read my writings if and when I do come back. But, I know in my heart that having scores of readers isn’t really what it is all about. And my longing for SCORES of readers is what created this addiction.
So now that I have scared you off with all my honesty let’s do a little housekeeping…
I will host Simply Saturday this week and then I will make arrangements for following weeks. I’m not sure what that will look like, but I will let you know as soon as it is taken care of.
I love you all and I will miss you, but I am looking forward to this time of freedom in Christ!
His voice is what we must follow. Your blog is on my roll and hope you pop in from time to time. You'll be missed, but you (we) must obey His promptings! Drop by for a blog visit, Jen. Many blessings.
ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteThe heart always knows what the heart wants and the heart needs.
Follow it.
I know exactly what you are saying.
On every point.
Every.single.one. of them.
I'm finding it harder to post and harder to spend the time it requires to "visit" and "follow".
I have cut way back on my posting.
Way back in my reader and way back in my time blogging.
Just so all consuming!
And guess what?
I'm actually getting some stuff done around here!!
And reconnecting with myself.
It's a lovely, lovely feeling.
I wish you the best and hope to see you when you feel the urge to write.
I'm keeping you in my reader "just in case"...
XO
Kristin
I admire you for your honesty and courage! I will miss you, but I understand. May God bless this time for you.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully transparent and authentic post.
ReplyDeleteI totally get this too - and am SO proud of you for listen to and obeying the voice of truth.
you took my breath and i wear a frown, but i absolutely, completely and totally understand what you are doing. know that your time here has not been completely wasted (wait. that' didn't come out right. you know what i mean)...your words and pictures have made such a difference to so many of us. you have lifted our spirits, you have challenged us to look at the Word and use THAT as our mirror, not others' blogs. You have brought many of us together in real life with fun and lightheartedness (is that a word?) with your stories :)
ReplyDeleteWe will miss you, and will be thrilled when you return, refreshed!
Until then, we love you sister!
Tears. This is a good and wonderful thing your Father is telling you! But tears, as I will miss you. He did not give you a gift to share your heart through the written word for nothing. Who knows how or when, but He can be trusted!
ReplyDeleteI have often felt the same way, funny though, it is me who has wanted to lay it down and my husband and the Lord who has said not yet. I suspect if/when He says yes, I will be sad, so don't let my stoic attitude fool you ;-)
You are a blessing and a gift. May He continue to heal and make you whole, spirit, soul and body. And I know He will!
Pssst, you can still come visit in person, just sayin'
Hugs!
Aww, we all understand and we all will miss you! Bravo for you for following His voice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for making this newbie feel so welcomed and for giving me the oomph (is that a word?) to get out there with the camera. I'm really enjoying it:)
Enjoy your time away from blogging land and if you come back, I hope we meet up again.
Blessings to you and your family.
Enjoy your time away! I'm sure God will reveal what you need to do!!
ReplyDeleteI do so understand, bloggin' can take over your life if you let it and leave little time for anything else...even God.
ReplyDeleteLast Friday night I unplugged the computer due to storms in the area. I did not plug it back in until Monday. It was kinda freein'.
I set timers when I'm on or else I'd just get pulled from one post to another.
I admire you for listenin' to God and your heart sweetie. Have a great break and we'll still be here when you come back.
May God bless you life, family and faith richly. :o)
it's hard to explain to non-bloggers how consuming
ReplyDeletethis can be. you are wise to prioritize your family.
when you come back, many of your friends will be
here to welcom you.
i pray many blessings on this next chapter and
hope you return soon.
I will miss your posts, sweet sis, but mostly I want you to do what the Lord is calling you to do. I hope you reach new depths in your walk with Him. Love you!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I'm. GOING. TO. MISS. YOU. LIKE. CRAZY.
ReplyDelete((sigh))
I understand... but I'm really, really sad. You've been such a faithful visitor and commentor over here... and well - somehow I know we'll stay in touch. :)
Wish you didn't live so stinkin' far away.
Dear Jenn ~ I will keep my eyes open for you...and I will be missing you...praying for you my friend!
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Camille
Praying with you!
ReplyDelete