Living with Eyes and Heart Wide Open

Alright, I can’t take it anymore. If I don’t write something I will explode! My last blog post was about a challenge my husband and I were taking to rid our lives of unnecessary distractions in order to focus on God. We wanted to make sure we are pleasing Him and living up to the purposes He created us for each and every day. We were not perfect with our, “no distraction,” rules but the life lessons we have learned have changed us. How blessed I feel to always have conviction and feel the current going up-stream getting stronger. Though it may be difficult to endure…I know He is always working. I trust confidently that He makes all things good on the other side.

Before our challenge, I had been so self and inward focused. I am ashamed to say that there have been many opportunities that I have lost to encourage, to help, to befriend, and show others Christ. This includes my own children and family. Ya see, all of the little distractions of this “normal life” are not necessary and are only a ploy to pull us away from what we are here for. Sure, God wants us to take pleasure in our blessings. But does that include hurrying through bedtime prayers with your kids to not miss your tv show that comes on at 8? Ouch…guilty. It is precious moments like this that God has helped us to reclaim in our life since we have started to weed out distractions.

What about Facebook and all computer related stuff? I have occasionally gotten on to research something (Once the children are in bed) and have occasionally gotten on to message someone back. I didn’t consider myself a computer junkie until I was “unplugged” for a while. I never realized how many brain cells I was taking up just by looking at pictures posted or comments people were making all through the day! I was ALWAYS multitasking in my brain about what so and so was doing or how cute their baby looked in that picture etc… Not that all this is necessarily a bad thing, but when it is a distraction from the faces in front of you, it is a dangerous tool satan can use to keep your eyes down. What a relief we have felt by simply freeing our minds and eyes to be intentional about what we are looking at and who we can be helping.

What about blogging? Oh man, I have missed it! God has shown me that sharing my heart on here is something I am very passionate about. However, I will no longer be giving myself deadlines. I have always written from my heart, but I will have to make sure thee needs of others around me are met first before I go crazy on here.

I long to encourage, and inspire, and to show the world that there really are people trying just like you… in the same boat, and walking in your shoes. There is still so much joy  in all of the hatred in this world. I intend on spreading it around. That is our job.

Have any y’all had to do any life reassessments lately? What did you learn? I would love to hear about it!

I have missed this!!!!!