My heart has known it for awhile now. My head has had the information at hand. Evaluations have been made. Arguments from within have been squelched. I have known what I need to do.

Our pastor spoke of it yesterday in his sermon and tears pricked my eyes at the confirmation of what my heart has known all along.

As a result of blogging, Jesus has become a "part" of my life. Now to be real honest, blogging is not the only reason for this transformation, and blogging is not the only area in which I need change. Many other areas are going to be affected by the decisions I am making, and I pray God will be glorified in their midst. He is calling me to a higher level of obedience, and that means pruning in many areas.

Yet, what is most important here comes directly from the sermon I heard yesterday,
"Either God is my life or not in my life. He CANNOT be a big part of my life."

He wants an all or nothing commitment.

In order for me to give Him that, I must walk away from some things that have been standing in His way. Blogging is one of them. It has consistently gotten in the way of my focus on the Lord, my focus on my family, and my focus on my marriage. It has taken me away from things I love, like reading, writing (interestingly enough), and being outside. I have tried to strike a balance, and I haven't been successful at that. I've known for a very long time that it might come to this, and to be real honest I am ready and finally relieved to be doing what I know is right for me at this time.

So, in order to be more of what Jesus wants for me, I must walk away . . . at least for awhile -- maybe forever. I tried this before and failed. This time, for the sake of my family and living my life rather than simply reading about others' lives -- I need to succeed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" so many of you. I won't be disappearing altogether, but I am heading off to a place where blogging will take a back seat behind what God has purposed for me each day.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29: 11-14a

Thank y'all for the support you have shown in the past. Thank you for taking interest in the life of one such as me. Thank you for praying and for humoring me by coming by to see how God fills up my tank each week. I haven't decided whether I will still post a Thanks Tank each week or not, but know that whether it is posted or not I will be writing it down in my prayer journal . . . as soon as I unearth it from the dust bunnies that have claimed it these last months.

My hope for all of you is that you will walk forward "without fear", knowing that each minute you are here is a gift from God.

Labels: God's will, taking a break