One Shot At This Parenting Gig
Once it’s gone…
it’s gone.
Forever.
I don’t want to lose my only chance at this parenting gig by sticking around my computer too much. Time is scooped up into the gates of eternity in a snap…and eternity only goes one way: forward.
I’m also not a believer in balancing it all. I not only think it can’t be done, I don’t think it should.
I do like this blogging thing though because I have things to say…to ponder…to process.
So the blog stays.
But my presence on it will most likely be less. Perhaps my series, thoughts, and stories will be shared a couple times a week instead of nearly everyday. We’ll see.
The point is, I want to look back one day and know I gave myself to my family fully. I don’t want to risk them for me, because ultimately, they are not mine, they are His. I am just a steward who has the incredible privilege and joy of loving them.
And love is a big deal…it is no easy task.
It takes time.
It takes attention.
It takes intention.
It takes…
but it also gives.
So, in the spirit of loving fully,
I’ll see ya when I see ya. :)
I know exactly how you feel. Over the summer when my husband had his "unplugged" challenge, we really learned that there is a such thing as too much. And too much technology is not a good thing.
I completely agree with and 100% support you!!!
.-= Kellye@onemomswalk´s last blog post … Dear Parents =-.
I wish you all the best! Enjoy the babes while they're still babes :) They will be teens before you know it.
Sarah Mae, this was exactly what I needed to read right now. I steal moments on the computer for my sanity, but sometimes a little too frequently. They only stay little for so long…
.-= Corinne´s last blog post … Common thread =-.
I applaud you, SarahMae. I think all of us who spend time on the computer ponder the question, how much is too much? While I will miss your posts, I think you are doing the right thing and both you and your family will reap the rewards. Blessings, Brooke
.-= Brooke4Him´s last blog post … Thanksgiving Dinner =-.
I so agree with this and your decision to pull back a little. I want to leave a written legacy for my children; especially since we are first generation Christians and I want them too see our path to trust and growth. But I also want them to see us in action in their day to day lives. Without the action, without our presence and discipleship in their every moment, those written words won't mean much. I don't want them to remember us because we gave and loved and served God and poured into everyone ELSE.
I want them to remember that we gave and loved and served God and poured into THEM. Then everyone else :-)
Blessings,
Lindsey
P.S. I learned this the hard way by the way…one of my biggest struggles when I first started writing was that I was constantly stealing time on the computer, to the detriment of my children. God nipped that in the bud pretty quickly :-)
.-= Lindsey @ A New Life´s last blog post … Oasis =-.
I am so proud of you, sweet friend. Bravery comes in many forms and rarely is it more profoundly evident than when we choose best over good … especially when the "good' is really good. Treasure these moments for they are truly fleeting … and writing will be here as the time is available.
.-= TeriLynneU´s last blog post … All is Calm =-.
Thanks for sharing this very convicting message. I have reached the same conclusion lately.
.-= Melissa´s last blog post … Cyber Monday: Combining Deals =-.
You go girl. So proud of you and it so encourages and inspires me to keep pressing forward where it counts most. :) I feel the weight of needing to blog everyday being lifted. I felt plagued to write even when I had nothing significant to say. But living life fully will produce the best content…even if it is less. :) ((Hugs))
.-= Christin´s last blog post … Coffee Chit Chat =-.
Wow – exactly what I've been wrestling with lately. I feel like I am letting my blog readers down when I don't post "often enough," but then I kick myself and say "What about my kiddos? They are God's gift to me and how am I letting them down?" Thank you for your honesty here!
You are a leader!
I am right there with ya!
Glad to *know* you; you enrich
lives by just being true, authentic YOU!
.-= Melissa Doddridge´s last blog post … Forget the Past…. =-.
I hear you loud and clear!
Last week I didn't blog much, stayed off Twitter and spent more time with my family. And I really enjoyed those moments.
You're right– only one chance. I don't want to look back and have missed the big things… or even the sweet little ones.
.-= Amy @ MomsToolbox´s last blog post … SOAP: Being mutually encouraged… to read the Bible in 90 days =-.
Totally agree Sarah! God Bless You my friend!
Hugs,
Traci
.-= Traci´s last blog post … Two Total Strangers =-.
Good for you sweet girl. I have been thinking the same thing. Right now I work full time, so I am able to blog daily here at the office, but once I start staying home with the babies….I want to spend as much time with them as possible.
.-= Tiffany´s last blog post … Beautiful Beautiful =-.
You are so wise, Sarah! Nothing is more important than our call to parent our blessings!
.-= Christine @Lily of the Valley´s last blog post … Last Day to Get Free Christmas Cards! =-.
Sometimes we have to say 'No' to good things so we can say 'Yes' to the best thing. When we surrender to our will and yield to His, He balances everything for us.
Ok. Now I'm getting off the computer too!
We'll see you when we see you. Enjoy nesting with your family and blogging as He calls you.
.-= Kristin Schell´s last blog post … Happy Thanksgiving =-.
These have been my thoughts exactly…
.-= Alisa´s last blog post … People, Appearances, and Perspectives. Sunday Afternoon Ramblings of Sunday Morning Musings =-.
Beautifully said my friend. I'm proud of you!!
BRAVO!!!! Those little pumpkins of yours are gonna be 17 someday just like my little baby turned today! You won't regret one moment of it.
.-= Robin´s last blog post … Happy Birthday Emily Rose! =-.
These are the same reasons that I haven't been around my blog too much lately, only you say it so much more eloquently! I will look forward to seeing you when you can post :)
.-= MamaHen Em´s last blog post … A Big Old Pile Of Thanksgiving =-.
My thoughts exactly! Ditto! Although I don't have children yet, I do have family. They are so precious to me!
.-= Hannah @ Reflections of a Face´s last blog post … Menu Plan Monday =-.
Awesome Sarah! This is why I haven't taken my blog to the 'next level'. Type A personalities do not balance passions well and I applaud you for recognizing this! God will be so faithful to you for being a wife/mom first and blogger by hobby rather than 'profession'! Hope your move is going well and unpacking is also going well! HUGS!
.-= Theresa´s last blog post … My Thankful List =-.
Well said, Sarah Mae. I have been offline more lately because we are enjoying the new baby. Speaking of which…
:)
ttyl
.-= Jacque´s last blog post … For Samuel; A Prayer Poem =-.
I cried when I read this – your heart is so sweet. Makes me happy – and sad cuz I'll miss you – but in a good way. Hugs & love to you & your family, sister-friend!
.-= Debbie´s last blog post … Singing about Winter! =-.
I agree too and 2 or 3 posts a week isn't a bad thing! I also struggle with "how much is too much" on the computer, justifying why I'm on it.
My 3yr old boy, Jack, has it right, when he is talking to me at times he will say "Look At Me!" so he "knows" I'm paying attention to him.
Thank you for the reminder!
Tracy
.-= Tracy´s last blog post … Cyber Monday, ya’ll! =-.
I have 5 kids, my oldest is 16, and my youngest is 4. I have the amazing opportunity of perspective like not a lot of parents have. I can look at my little guy and think how much more time he has with me, but turn around and my heart is broken at how little time I have left with my 16 year old. I have the reality of time passed. I can see how in the blink of an eye my daughter was 4 and now she is 16. Such wise words, such a wise choice. I love your blog and will miss it, but you will not miss anything by not being here! Good luck and God Bless.
.-= April W´s last blog post … “We Heart Tooshies” =-.
Amen, sis! Just what I needed to hear today!
Alexia
.-= Alexia´s last blog post … When Mom's a grump….. =-.
Amen! God has pressed me to limit my time on the computer to 30 minutes in the morning. Makes getting reviews done really hard, but that's why I'm quitting that. It takes up too much precious time that belongs to my little ones!
Well, you know my feelings on this one! So I say GOOD FOR YOU if it's what you are being led to do and you are following through with it. I can't tell you how freeing it was to delete Twitter and then go without internet for over a week while moving. Then my 4 year old fried my laptop and I was all "OK God, I get it" LOL More time of them (family) less of the computer ;)
.-= Mirinda´s last blog post … Please don't leave me :( =-.
While I will miss reading your wonderful posts, I know you will be doing better and more eternal things.
Enjoy the time with your family :-) This post is a great example to limit our computer time. And made me think about the importance of being flexible and enjoying children during every stage of their life.
God Bless.
Thank you so much for posting that… I too feel the same way, as a mother of 6. I look at them and think – yesterday they were so little… It is good to know that we are not alone! This world moves way to fast – thanks for the encouragement to take it slow!
.-= Jamie´s last blog post … So Thankful for another Thanksgiving! =-.
Eternity actually goes both ways…. forward and backward. We have a hard time thinking about backward, but God has no beginning and no end. He has always been… forever backward and forever forward :)
I enjoy your blog. Thanks for this post!
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