Processing

Direction

by Tina

Tuesday morning I woke feeling utterly lost. I had no sense of direction. I knew that I needed to make some changes to my blogging schedule (among other things), but for the life of me I couldn’t solidify a game plan.

We womenkind enjoy poking fun of the menfolk who stubbornly refuse to stop and ask for directions (when they are clearly lost), but it can happen spiritually, as well, and we can be just as stubborn or blind.

Though I ask God for plenty I can forget the simple task of asking for His guidance. I wasn’t aware that I was on this path until I knew that I was lost. So maybe this was more of blindspot than stubbornness this time.

This last bout of fatigue blew me right over. Tuesday I ended up in tears. I felt defeated and discouraged with no clue where to begin again. That’s when I was reminded of one of my favorite Bible verses.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” 

Psalm 143:8

God does answer and lead. He also lifts a weary soul. My beautiful friend Bridget posted a wonderful piece called Housekeeping. It was a clear answer and confirmation that I need to make those adjustments to my routine.

When I pondered how to do this I was feeling reluctant that less is more. I have a ridiculous fear of blogger’s withdrawl. If I cut back too much too quickly I’m sure it will be as painful as going cold turkey. Maybe that’s not as ridiculous as it sounds. Blogging is my community.

Sometimes I really need to write and share, but posting 4 days a week isn’t working. It doesn’t give me enough time to savor many things including really enjoying reading and gleaning insight from fellow bloggers. I also need to spend more time focusing on my health and quality time with my Savior.

After asking for direction the solution came to me. I’ll adjust my schedule in stages. First I’ll drop my Sunday post. This gives me the opportunity to get a feel for posting three days a week. If I find that three days is still too much I’ll drop another day and post on Tuesday and Thursday instead. I may even have to bump it down to once a week through the summer months. I already see God’s lead and feel that peace again.

—

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’

Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.

John 14:6 (MSG)

(Photocredit goes to Pixabay.com user Antranias.)

26 thoughts on “Direction”

  2. Doing it in stages sounds good. You are in charge of when you post, it’s your choice and you do what is best for you. If you need more time to just soak in being with the Lord and or just savour life – all that will be reflected in your writing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11). Sounds like you are hearing God’s instruction and following his lead, Tina!

    Like

    Reply

  5. You need to find what works for you. We are all different. I so hope you keep blogging, even if it is less often. Yours is one of my favourite blogs.
    I really struggled about a year ago. I was spending increasing amounts of time desperately trying to get my posts ready. I was finding it so to just finish one post. It was eating into my time and I was struggling to read the blogs I wanted to. I almost deleted my blog. Then I tried one last thing. Set a time for writing each day. Not much time. The deal being that I would stop when the time was up. Would post whatever I had. It’s worked for me. Spend less time trying to fine tune stuff. Feel less tired. Less pressurised. Find it easier to write and have more time to read. I’m sure you will find what’s best for you. Try to keep smiling. Gary.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much. I have no thoughts of discontinuing blogging any time soon. I would be way too isolated and I have a writers brain. The juice doesn’t stop flowing. That’s probably my biggest problem. I write more than I actually post. I have A LOT in my drafts, but I still keep writing! I have 20 plus poems that I haven’t posted yet. 😆 lol. The day I realized this I wrote a couple more poems lol. I love to write. I’m a writing and thinking machine.

      But I have to get more sunshine now that it’s shining and it’s getting warm, get myself moving more, eat better, organize myself… try to make myself do other things than just writing. That one’s seriously hard for me. And yeah… It’s kind of my revival season. I struggle so much during the Winter due to that lack of sunshine, but writing helps so much. So I may cut back quite a bit for the summer, but it’s very possible that I will need to blog more in the Fall and Winter.

      I do need a better writing routine. I spend way too much time editing. I guess I’m a bit of a perfectionist, but I want it to be worth reading and easy to understand.

      Smiling is on the agenda. 😊 Thanks Gary! (AKA Superdad who also sometimes tries to be Superman.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. Tina, it is important to reach a balance that fits, one that brings satisfaction but doesn’t overwhelm and leaves time to rest in Christ. Peace and cyber hugs! 🌼 – Jeanne

    Like

    Reply

  7. I know how you feel. It almost feels like a tug of war at times. I am learning to slow down, follow the Lord’s lead, and savor too. It can be difficult to alter our patterns, even when we know it’s the right thing to do. So I applaud you for taking that step. I pray that your road is blessed as a result… And thanks for linking to my post. I am so honored to know that it helped you. But it was all God. He knew you would need to read that post on that day. What an amazing, loving Father we have! ❤️

    Like

    Reply

    2. Yes, a tug of war is a great way to describe it. I wrote that into a poem once. I should look that poem up! Yes, it can be very difficult to alter those patterns. I guess that’s why I was so confused as to where to start. But I think cutting back in stages until I find what is the most comfortable is a good way to go about it instead of trying to guess.

      Absolutely that was God! And yes, He is so loving. ❤ Thanks so much Bridget for your support and kindness. ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. I understand. Although blogging is rewarding, it does take a lot of time. Right now I also do 4 days a week but may cut back too. I’m glad you sense the Lord’s peace and direction. He’ll give you the right plan.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Dawn! Yes, just knowing that I’m going to be cutting 1 day for starters made me feel that I was heading in the right direction. It’s very possible that I may need to cut back to 2 or 1 day a week, but I’ll see where this road leads. ☺

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. Good for you so seek His direction in this! Four times a week to post is a lot and probably begins to feel like an obligation..I do good with once a week BUT I definitely want to get better or establish more of a schedule with reading other bloggers posts because I love reading them but can’t always seem to figure out a good system/schedule…
    I remember when I started out blogging and didn’t understand much about following others, I had over 300 people I was following😅 I think I have it down to around 30 now!!
    Blessings to you sweet friend, I hope you can get a schedule in place that works great with your lifestyle! Also I’m gonna go check out that Housekeeping post you mentioned!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes, 4 days a week really does start to feel like an obligation. I started with three days. That was okay. Then because I was struggling so much with the Winter blues I added another day to share the music I needed to hear. I like sharing music. But I can still do that with three days. I don’t need to share music weekly even. I may have to drop my schedule down to 2 or even one day again, but a need to post often has become a need to post less to fit other things in. When the days are grey and I don’t have the energy to do much blogging more is good. Now that the sun is shining I need to get out and enjoy the sunshine more and recharge my batteries.

      Yes, that housekeeping post is wonderful. Bridget is a very comforting writer. I always find her posts peaceful.

      Enjoy the sunshine and the gardening Ali! Love ya!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Ya her post was encouraging for sure!
        My goal is to try and post once a week to stay connected but I’m also realizing that it does me so good to just stay connected by reading others posts and then commenting, it warms my heart to have these friendships/communication with fellow bloggers!!

        Like

      2. Yes, absolutely! It’s a blessing to stay connected and enjoy one another’s fellowship. ☺ Have a wonderful week Ali! Enjoy the sunshine! ❤

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment