In the nearly 8 years since beginning this blog, I've lost my dad, my favorite aunt, 3 dear friends of 20 - 30 years, 4 dearly-loved cats and various elderly neighbors. Tom was laid-off from his job for the first time in more than 30 years of our marriage. We've had to adjust to early retirement (we thought). We've moved 3 times. I went through menopause. Tom had two surgeries. We've experienced growing pains with our daughter, she broke-up with a boyfriend who felt almost like a son to us and last month Naomi moved states away.
Whew. And I didn't even mention facing a ton of disappointments-- tiny, daily ones and larger ones, too.
Some of you have ridden along this entire journey with me and I'm sure most of you recall me saying, a few times, something like, "For the sake of my sanity/healing or just needing a rest, I'll be taking a blogging break, probably for a week or more."
But you know? Only once (that I can remember) did I take a break for that long--ten days, to be exact-- but that was due to our train trip across the U.S. I wished to wait until our return home before I shared the whole trip with you.
The other times? I always returned to my blog earlier than I'd planned. I'd slink back here and tell you, "Well, I'm back. Sooner than I'd supposed." And not until today did I figure out the why of that.
So why? It's because God knows that part of our healing involves helping other people. You know, taking our eyes off of ourselves--our own pain, our unfair times, our tears and the me-me-me-ness of it all--and putting them, instead, upon other people. Their pain, their unfair times, their tears.
Because hey, God planned it that way. When He told Adam it wasn't good for man to be alone, He wasn't just talking marriage. No, He meant that men (people) needed each other and they needed to give to each other in order for they, themselves, to be fully healed.
Examples?:
"The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered." ... Proverbs 11:25
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." ... Luke 6:38
"Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." ... Deuteronomy 15:10
So what I realized is that, yes, I've needed times alone with God for Him to heal me and times of encouragement from friends, too. But the reason God won't let me stray too far away, for too long from this blog, this vehicle He's given me to help others? It's because He doesn't want me to go all hermit-like. Inside myself, unto myself, concerned only about myself. And not all, "Us four and no more" around my home, either, for even that looms way too small in His eyes.
As it should in my own eyes, as well.
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2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
"But the greatest of these is love." ... 1 Corinthians 13:13
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9 comments:
I am glad that you are here. You always give me something to think about.
Beautifully said Debra! I too am so glad you are there!
Love your thankful and encouraging heart! It's so true; we are called to build up and strengthen one another, and we must continue to study and be filled with the Word of God so that we can see people as individuals who need to be built up. It is important that we, as a sisterhood, learn what it takes to help strengthen each other! :)
Blessings and hugs,
Denise
Part way down this post my chest began to tighten thinking you were easing into saying you were quitting this blog...Whew! You didn't!!!! :) :) :) ...no time for any more comment but wanted to get this on its way,...Sarah
As a loner type person, I can say that we do need one another! We need to encourage and be encouraged at the happiness of others.
I understand what you say about staying away. I think every now and then that there is nothing more to write, then the Lord will say, stop looking into yourself and look up to me. He always inspires! Thank you for your many wonderful posts!
Socrates said "An unexamined life is one not worth living." Through this blog, Debra, you examine your life. Thanks for "thinking out loud" and for helping each one of us to examine our own.
I see such a difference when I'm able to help others, however simply. Being inside ourselves doesn't usually have a good outcome.
I expected a new post today (Monday) as I think your temperature took a dive. Are you getting snow like south of you in Franklinville? Not good for all your flowers! Boo!
Great post Debra!
A beautiful post, Debra. An inspiration, and a good reminder.
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