Ponderings

early morning backyard view
Is the heat on???? It's a chilly 38 degrees this morning here in sunny Central Florida, but I'm feeling cozy with socks on my feet and a mug of steaming hot cocoa next to the keyboard. Life is good. :) I'm going to beg sweetly ask my hubby if we can put our fireplace to work. It would feel like we were back in Georgia...almost. :) The last couple of weeks I've been on a blogging break busy with life and pondering the future of Riverbend Ramblings. When I first started blogging I lived far away from family and close friends. My husband pastored a small church, and most of my time was filled with homeschooling, cooking, and cleaning. Blogging provided me with an outlet to share about my life. Since moving back to Florida, however, my life is not quite so simple. While I still homeschool my youngest child and continue to care for my home and family, there are now many other things that require my attention. My ministry outside my home has expanded. In addition to busy days, there's also the whole privacy issue. I'm not so anonymous anymore. My fishbowl has been enlarged, so to speak. While only a very few of the 1,500 or so people who attended our church this past Sunday know my blog exists, I still don't feel comfortable sharing as many details about the ins and outs of my daily life as I used to share without so much hesitation. While I never wish to come across through my writing as a "perfect pastor's wife" (which I most certainly am not!), I must consider the position in which the Lord has placed my husband and our family. We do need a measure of privacy. I would never want to do anything to hinder our family's testimony before the Lord. I have shared my concerns with my husband, and he has encouraged me to continue blogging about whatever I feel comfortable with. I want blogging to be enjoyable, not something that brings unnecessary worry or stress. My time is precious, and while I so enjoy "visiting" with my blogging buddies, something has to give. The computer is a wonderful outlet, but it can be a time robber as well. I have prayerfully gone through the list of blogs I visit and whittled it down considerably. I have a scheduled amount of computer time each day, and when my timer goes off, I'm done. I will do my best to post a few times each week, but I will not be a slave to blogging! If I do not post for several days you will know that all is well, but that my priorities are as they should be. If you don't already subscribe to some type of feed reader like Bloglines or Google Reader, let me encourage you to do so. You won't feel frustrated checking for new posts all the time. Hopefully I'll be able to get you caught up on our recent happenings soon, and I am thinking about changing the look around here, too. Gotta move the furniture every once in a while. :) Above all, it is my desire to be pleasing to the Lord in all things, including this blog. It is His approval that I seek, not the approval of man. I want to bring Him glory with my life.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV

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http://riverbendramblings.blogspot.com
~Riverbend Ramblings~
The days are long, but the years are short.
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ponderings
early morning backyard view
Is the heat on???? It's a chilly 38 degrees this morning here in sunny Central Florida, but I'm feeling cozy with socks on my feet and a mug of steaming hot cocoa next to the keyboard. Life is good. :) I'm going to beg sweetly ask my hubby if we can put our fireplace to work. It would feel like we were back in Georgia...almost. :) The last couple of weeks I've been on a blogging break busy with life and pondering the future of Riverbend Ramblings. When I first started blogging I lived far away from family and close friends. My husband pastored a small church, and most of my time was filled with homeschooling, cooking, and cleaning. Blogging provided me with an outlet to share about my life. Since moving back to Florida, however, my life is not quite so simple. While I still homeschool my youngest child and continue to care for my home and family, there are now many other things that require my attention. My ministry outside my home has expanded. In addition to busy days, there's also the whole privacy issue. I'm not so anonymous anymore. My fishbowl has been enlarged, so to speak. While only a very few of the 1,500 or so people who attended our church this past Sunday know my blog exists, I still don't feel comfortable sharing as many details about the ins and outs of my daily life as I used to share without so much hesitation. While I never wish to come across through my writing as a "perfect pastor's wife" (which I most certainly am not!), I must consider the position in which the Lord has placed my husband and our family. We do need a measure of privacy. I would never want to do anything to hinder our family's testimony before the Lord. I have shared my concerns with my husband, and he has encouraged me to continue blogging about whatever I feel comfortable with. I want blogging to be enjoyable, not something that brings unnecessary worry or stress. My time is precious, and while I so enjoy "visiting" with my blogging buddies, something has to give. The computer is a wonderful outlet, but it can be a time robber as well. I have prayerfully gone through the list of blogs I visit and whittled it down considerably. I have a scheduled amount of computer time each day, and when my timer goes off, I'm done. I will do my best to post a few times each week, but I will not be a slave to blogging! If I do not post for several days you will know that all is well, but that my priorities are as they should be. If you don't already subscribe to some type of feed reader like Bloglines or Google Reader, let me encourage you to do so. You won't feel frustrated checking for new posts all the time. Hopefully I'll be able to get you caught up on our recent happenings soon, and I am thinking about changing the look around here, too. Gotta move the furniture every once in a while. :) Above all, it is my desire to be pleasing to the Lord in all things, including this blog. It is His approval that I seek, not the approval of man. I want to bring Him glory with my life.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 KJV

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14 Comments:
Blogger Adrienne said...
Well said! Growing up in a pastor's home and having married a young pastor I know exactly what you are talking about. While we are not in that position right now I have a bit more freedom but I do appreciate your words of caution and your thoughts to protect and respect the privacy and position of you and your family. We will welcome you whenever you are here.
~Adrienne~

Anonymous Anonymous said...
I know what you mean about whittling your list down--I've had to do the same recently.

I'm sure you'll figure out what works best for you and your family. (o:

Blessings,
Michele

Blogger Arlene said...
I'm glad you will still keep your blog; I would miss "hearing" from you if you gave it up completely.

You're very wise to have a specific computer time limit... probably something I should seriously consider because, as you mentioned, this can be a time robber! (Oh, and yes, a feed reader has been a lifesaver and time-saver for me!)

Thank you for sharing your heart on this matter; I think the Lord is very pleased with the way you've kept your priorities straight. Just keep doing what you're doing, lady, and we will all be here to cheerfully greet you during the week! :o) *hugs*

Blogger Alesha said...
Mmm...well said. The fishbowl has definitely gotten bigger, hasn't it???

I've been encouraging people to use a blog feed reader, too, because I feel a little pressured sometimes thinking that people are checking my blog repeatedly every day looking for a new post! :-o

BUT my hubby reminded me that if they have me saved as a favorite, they are wasting absolutely no energy clicking that button!!! So I don't need to FEEL pressured! :-)

Sometimes I need him to just "put the cookies on the bottom shelf for me." (He once told my paranoid friend, "Lisa, people aren't talking about you. You just not that interesting!!!")

We are happy to hear from you, even occasionally. I know that I look forward to those who don't write every day JUST AS MUCH as I enjoy those who post all the time.

So, stay warm today, and we'll "see" you next time you have time to chat!
Alesha

Blogger Valerie said...
I understand where you are coming from, though we are not in a large ministry. I have to keep adjusting to make sure my priorities are in order. Thank you for sharing your heart.

Blogger Susan said...
I'm glad you'll continue blogging; I always look forward to what you have to share with us. I do know how busy a pastor's family's life can be, too, and that time on the computer has to be carefully monitored - for everyone, not just a pastor's wife! I'd never be able to read blogs without a reader, either. They save so much time.

Looking forward to hearing from you whenever you have the time!

Blogger Faith said...
Ok. THis is so weird, well not weird really, but GOD! What you are writing about is EXACTLY part of the reason I went on a blogging break this past week although I did do some post dated stuff! :)

However, you have written just what has been on my heart...and I don't even know you personally! IT is so neat how the Lord does this...this is total confirmation for me in some ways!
I don't feel like a slave to blogging but I kinda did in regards to others' blogs. I too have had to rearrange my priorities due to ministry duties and I'm not even a pastor's wife...but let me tell ya...a youth leaders wife is quite the new experience for me! LOL
I'll be back to check on things here....God bless you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving if I'm not back before then!

Blogger Rachel Smith said...
I resemble and relate to your posting comments on privacy. I too often feel the eyes peeking into my fishbowl, not b/c our ministry is as large as yours, but b/c our town is so small. Everyone knows everything about us whether they go to our church or not just b/c of who we are. My blog world is a safe place for me. I haven't told anyone at my church about it. My dear hubby almost did one time and I gave him that look of "NO, please don't!" He then knew that it was my little private world. I take it whenever and wherever I can get it.

I think I am going to take your idea of a timer while blogging. It does take so much time. Sometimes I don't even realize how much time I have wasted online. I want to be an encouragement to others and keep in touch with dear friends, but I need to be "redeeming the time."

I will check in again in the future.

Enjoy your day!

Blogger Kristi said...
I, too, am glad you will continue blogging. I also understand your concerns. Going to a larger church I see how busy my Pastor's family and our church staff is. I also see their need for privacy.

I'll be watching for your updated posts.

~Kristi

Blogger ~~Deby said...
As your blog is a favorite of mine I sure do understand....
We just do the best that we can...
I think we all understand....
I am just glad that you are not quitting, said, selfishly.
Deby

Blogger Nikki said...
I'm glad you'll continue blogging but I do understand your dilemma. I'm a pastor's wife too and I am consumed with being a wife, mother, homeschooler, and pastor's wife. Blogging has no priority as you can tell from my sporatic posts. My desire is to please the Lord and my family first.

Blogger Deborah said...
I'm glad you are planning to stick around! I've only been blogging since March, but I've already realized that it's not a big deal if I don't post every day!
I don't use a blog reader, but I find the new blog list very helpful. I have all of my blogs on the sidebar and when someone makes a post they move to the top. I just check them when I see that they have been updated.

Blogger Unknown said...
I have struggled with those very things, which is why I took a break as well. I am being much more tentative with my blog. Pickier about what I am saying. And I am still anonymous, as no one I see day to day even knows I have a blog. And I want to keep it that way. It is for far away friends and new ones like you.

Blogger Mishel said...
Such *good* thoughts, Mrs. C. Ashleigh and I talk about this very thing often--trying to find the balance, privacy, ect... I'm glad you decided to continue, as your blog is one of my favorites...but I agree that you should not feel pressured to post more than time allows.

Hugs to you! : )

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