I have a confession ...

Hello, my name is Cheryl and I'm a blogaholic.

(This is the part where y'all clap and say, "Welcome, Cheryl")

My husband and I had an interesting conversation the other night. We were fortunate enough to have an impromptu date, so after dropping the kids off at his parents' house, we went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant. Good salsa, good atmosphere and good fajitas. And GREAT people watching. Every time we go, I feel like we are in an episode of The Real Housewives, minus the cat fighting, although that would be pretty awesome and I would be sure to record it on my phone. There are always middle-aged women dressed to the nines, drinking margaritas and flirting away with all the men at the bar. It's strange really, because we are in the burbs. Not a big city where people gather after working at the office. So I have come to believe, if you are at least 45 and like to party like you're still in college, it's definitely the place to be seen in our town.
Anyways, Patrick and I got to talking about my blog. And he delicately informed me, after a little prodding, that I may a bit consumed with blogging. He told me that he is glad I have found something I enjoy, a way to get all my thoughts out, use my gift of encouragement, and to have a place to just record my life as a mother. But with that being said, he told me he thought I was becoming a bit obsessive. Ugh.
At first, I wanted to defend myself. And defend all my readers and say that my blog is what gets you up in the morning. Because it does, right? I kid. I kid. I'm not that crazy.
But after I clarified that he still believed I needed to keep blogging and that he encouraged me to, I let my guard down. Because in my heart, I knew he was right. 
I know that I have a hard time with balance. I have a hard time not going full throttle when I get excited about something. And since I really just started blogging in January, I am realizing that I need to slow down and find some balance. I am really good at starting things but horrible at finishing them. I have been making this blog an unnecessary priority in my life. And frankly, if I'm not inspired, if I'm not reading anything that challenges me and strengthens my faith in Christ, then I am definitely not going to be inspired to write anything authentic. When I am in His Word and reading good books by great authors, I can't help but write. But I have let a lot of well-intentioned blog hopping distract me. I haven't really been reading as much as I have been skimming. I have placed these ridiculous expectations on myself  by subscribing to a bunch of blogs and frankly, it's quite embarrassing that I struggle this much with balance. 
It was really difficult to even write this and hit publish because I feel like such a hypocrite and I don't want people to judge me, and blah, blah, blah. But since I have clearly stated in previous posts, that I want to keep it real on my blog, there you go, this is me keepin' it real, y'all. (If you relate at all to what I am saying then I recommend this on Tim Challies blog. It's pretty helpful).
So. I am picking up some books and limiting my time in blogland. I am remembering why I love to blog in the first place - and that is to process the things the Lord is teaching me.

I am reading A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World, by Paul E. Miller and so far it has been really good. It's easy to read, very approachable and very honest about how praying is difficult. So far I am just on Chapter 3 but I am looking forward to blogging about this book. Here is a quote from Chapter 1:
"Praying exposes how self-preoccupied we are and uncovers our doubts. It was easier on our faith not to pray. After only a few minutes, our prayer is in shambles. Barely out of the starting gate, we collapse on the sidelines—cynical, guilty, and hopeless." 


How do you remained balanced with blogging?

~cheryl~





And linking up with Lora