Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Should I Make Myself Write?


A recent post by a sweet friend has me asking myself if I should just make myself write. There's no inspiration to write these days. If I were to write something I am not sure what the something would be. I really don't know where to begin with the thoughts twirling and twirling around in my mind.

Should I make myself write? Would the inspiration then come?

Then I recalled words written by another friend. I read Mary's post, The Importance of Real Connections in a Non-Connected World, this morning after my time with God and before tending to the daily routine of getting ready for the work day. Imagine my surprise to find her writing about me. Thank you for the encouragement, Mary!

"My good friend Beth at Simply Beth has been writing and talking about real life connections and their importance. She has stepped out intentionally to make this happen and it has encouraged me in my own life. It has been a beautiful journey to follow and learn from Beth as she sits with friends over coffee, hangs out with her neighbors, puts family first and works on being present to others in her daily life. She models what friendship should be and I am blessed to learn from her bravery and challenged to carry this out in my own life."

So here's the thing. Maybe I could make myself write. There's some writing but not much these days. Instead of making myself write though, I am making time for real life connections. First and foremost, I make time for my husband. Actually, God first and then time with my man.


Then there are days devoted to meeting online friends in real life. Like breakfast at an adorable restaurant (best ever coffee and pancakes) with the lovely Mel of Barefoot Mel. Winning a giveaway on her blog revealed we only live thirty minutes from one another. Yippee!


And I anxiously await sharing a meal again with Dawn of Journeys in Grace this weekend.


 And we spend lots and lots of time with friends we are blessed to have as neighbors.


I love any opportunity to hang out with my BFF who will forever be known as "my Hawaii friend." The photo is from the morning we left for Hawaii as I did not think to take one of us together when recently met to share a meal and have a glass of wine while my husband took our youngest son to a Chicago Blackhawks game.


There's also a wedding to plan. Yes, I refer to it as "Our Wedding." It's a renewal of vows. It's a desire to say before God once again, but for real this time because the first time we didn't know God like we do now, that we will love one another until death do us part. Want to follow along as I plan? Come check out my Pinterest board.

How about a sneak peak at our photo session for the Save the Date cards? The photo below happens to be a favorite from our session. Hubs didn't like his squinty eye so we won't be using it for our card. I love him so very much!


I admitted to my friend Mary in the comment I left on her post (shared above) that I honestly fear a loss of online friendships, friendships I hold dear to my heart, because I am not writing. Less writing has gradually meant less time on other blogs.

Really though, less time on other blogs is not because I am writing less but because I am being intentional in others areas.

God has called me to a different season. It's a season where He isn't asking me to write. Mostly it's a season where I feel I'm learning to love God with all my heart, my soul and my strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Could there be any better season?

At my Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class last night our teaching leader reminded me of this truth: "We can't add God to our life; He must be our life."

I need Him to be my everything. I want Him to be my everything.

Can I admit I almost backed out of my yes to God to become a Group Leader for BSF in the fall? I wrote about my yes to God here.

But as I learn to love God with my heart, soul and strength, I know it includes trusting His ways are always best. If His ways include me shepherding a group of women as we study God's Word together, then my yes will stay a yes. Satan isn't winning in his attempt to tell me I'm not ready.

So . . . the writing? It will continue to take a back seat. I will not fear what I may lose as a result for God is filling my days with much goodness.

You are forever part of the goodness in my life.


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32 comments:

  1. You realize as you write this today you answered your own question??? I love your out loud processing through your writing. The defining words are what you learned from Bible Study Fellowship-"we can't add God to our life, He must be our life". Amen to that-it says it all!!! You are doing exactly what you should at this time and I am loving it and wishing to do more of what you are doing. Keep it up friend! BTW-hope to be adding a picture of you and I in real life to my camera i the future. Love you friend!

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    1. Love you much, friend. And so many yeses to hopes of being able to share a picture of us together soon. xoxo

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  2. Oh dear friend, you're living life with such joy and delight! I love watching you even from afar! When you pick up a pen it'll be because you just can't resist, not 'cause you feel like you have to ...

    And isn't this what should be true for us all? You're simply showing us the way ...

    Hugs!

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    1. I hope you know how much you bless me!!! Hugs to you. xoxo

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  3. I love you and this post was much needed for me today. I'm still in a hard season, where there are no words, or words to process the pain I struggle with. Just the other day I was feeling very sad over the loss of some relationships I use to have on line, or those that have become different, because both my on line presence and writing have taken a back seat to my emotional state. I wish my circumstance was more like yours - where I could say I was being more intentional with IRL relationships. But I believe God is healing me as I continue to let Him strip me of all the unnecessary. Oh how I wish I could sit with you over coffee! Hugs!

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    1. I love you, Barbie. You are always close to my heart in prayer. I do so wish we could share a cup of coffee together. Oh, what a blessing that would be. (((hugs)))

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  6. Thank you for this. It's a constant struggle to find a balance. I, too, am working to keep writing and being online from becoming too big- I don't think it's healthy to have online people be THE people in your life--- but I can see how it could happen. Good for you for gaining some distance and perspective. Your message inspires me to do more of the same. Blessings to you!

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    1. It is all about finding a balance, isn't it Karen? But we need to have a healthy perspective of what needs to come first. I have found when we keep God first we have a better understanding of where He's calling us to. Blessings to you, friend. xoxo

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  7. Beth, you may be writing less often but you are still saying much :) This is a beautiful post of what it is to be surrendered to what God would have us to do. I truly believe in the surrender, you will not lose a single thing but actually gain more than you could have hoped for. Blessings, friend! XO

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    1. Such good wisdom to remember, Joanne. "I truly believe in the surrender, you will not lose a single thing but actually gain more than you could have hoped for." Thank you!
      Blessings to you and thank you for your friendship. xoxo

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  8. I have spent a great deal of time thinking of this very topic lately, Beth. GOOD for you---name those priorities and keep them!

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    1. So good to see you here, Lulu. Many blessings to you.

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  9. This is a lovely season you are in. The loveliest. Savor where you are. I am honored to know you and to follow along on your journey through prayer and words. Love love this post and these pictures.

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    1. You are such a blessing to me, dear friend. xoxo

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  11. This all sounds so wonderful and exciting! I'm so happy that you are enjoying this season and the blessing of "in person" connections...especially the one with your hubby! I'm going to go and check out your Pinterest board about your upcoming renewal of vows! I love it!! Blessings & love, Joa

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    1. Thank you, Joan. Every time you share a picture on Facebook I find myself wishing the four of us could gather for a day of fun together. I just have this feeling we'd all hit if off fabulously!! love you. xoxo

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  12. As I write this comment, know that I am reminding myself of the same truths God has been speaking into my heart. Live freely right where God has you. When you have the spur to write, write and we are blessed. Cherish the blessings of being exactly where you are...with God...in the process and on the way. Live in confident faith that God is taking you right into His good purpose, and that's the very best place to be. That said, I often find I am surprised what comes out on those days when I feel I have nothing to say. Love you friend:) and I loved this post.

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    1. Such beautiful words of encouragement, Ginger. Thank you!!! Much love to you. xoxo

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  13. Beth,
    I am so glad that you have decided not to step down from a leadership role with BSF. I have found that when I have accepted roles that perhaps I feel ill-equipped for, it is then that the Lord works in mighty ways to grow my faith and dependence on Him. I also encourage you to follow your prayerful heart in seeking God's will as to what He would have you be involved with right now. Like good friends you haven't seen in years, your readership will be right here - ready to pick up where we left off - should you decide to lay down your pen (laptop) for awhile. Praying along with you for clarity...just know I'll always be here!!
    Love you girl,
    Bev xoxo

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    1. I am always grateful for the ways you encourage my heart, Bev. Come to Chicago, would you please!!!! Love you. (((hugs)))

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  14. Hi Beth! It's good to see you writing, if only a little. I think if you needed to force some writing, God would let you know that very loudly! Choosing to reach out in person to others is a very powerful choice, and brings you together with others in a more immediate way. Maybe you are more of a 'face to face' girl than you thought.
    I can't imagine how fun it must be to plan your vows renewal. I like the photo you have on the post, and if the one you use is better, wow!! It helps that you are both so photogenic.
    Enjoy this time of discernment, as God turns you little by little in the way you should go. It will be an exciting ride!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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  15. I absolutely love these pictures you shared, Beth! You look so happy and full :). I would love to renew my vows with my hubby. We talked about doing it this year for our 15th anniversary. I love your reasoning and ours is very similar.
    I only write and post about once a week these days. I would love to write more but I feel other things must take precedence at this time. Isn't it wonderful to meet our fellow writers and online friends in person? Meeting Mary last week was truly amazing. Much love to you!

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  16. I certainly agree with some of the comments that you are writing and what you are writing here when you can is meaningful and adds to our lives. I love these online friendships. - that have been invaluable to me, encouraged me and helped me grow. Good sharing, Beth!

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  17. I am convinced that it is indeed God who gives us the words to write. And sometimes, He leads us into a season of *silence* as He does other work in our lives. Beth, I know that you are listening carefully to His guidance, and that He will prompt you to write when it's time. And, that He will also bless the other things that might preclude writing at this time.

    Know that I love your words, and will read them eagerly whenever you speak here in Blog Land. And know that I will be praying as your *non-writing* words reach many other people.

    Love you, friend, so much.

    GOD BLESS!

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  18. Excited for all that's going on and how God is working. Renewal of vows, how awesome. Miss you!

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  19. This is a beautiful post, and it looks like you have some amazing friends and plans on the horizon! God is truly blessing you, it shines through in your writing and in your smile!

    Anyhoo, I found your blog through a fellow blogger. I thought I would just drop by and say hi! It would totally make my day if you did the same.. or better yet, keep in touch! <3 - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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  20. I agree with everything you said 100% (And YAY! So excited about your Wedding/Vow Renewal! ♥) I think your priorities are exactly in the right place. And if it makes you feel any comfort: I'm the same way! There's a quote from Fitzgerald's 'This Side of Paradise' that I always think of: “Trouble is I get distracted when I start to write stories - get afraid I’m doing it instead of living…” ...so apparently, we're not alone :)

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  21. So great to renew wedding vows. Congratulations on that. It is so much more important to live life connecting to everyone around you. There will always be time for the online world. I know this may not get me the most followers or the biggest fan base, either, but I want to see and experience God's beauty, not just write about it. Miss ya.

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