January 16, 2013

• {to move or not to move}
  
  
  
  
  okay.

  i had pretty much made up my mind to move to blogger, 
  i thought the first of the year would be a good start.
  now. i’m chickening out as i pack my bags.

  so i decided to just sit down and talk about it here with you..
  and i was going to say as my readers.. but really, that’s not what this blog is about-
  as my friends. because you are.

  when i first started blogging i had to be all technical about it.
  like, these are my real life friends, these are my online friends.
  but phooey on technicalities. let’s all just be friends!! 
  because though we don’t see each other often and some never even met…
  when you do a bit of life together, and this bit of life on the computer screen counts –
  hey, we’re friends!

  and of course there’s different levels of friendship. but a friendship just the same.

  many of you have been around here a LONG time!
  we’ve been through alot together.
  babies and cancer and divorce and moves and nasty comments and even death.
  {not that those last two are related in the slightest}

  i’ve been moved to tears so often by your encouragement.

  God was genius when He created relationships. just so cool!
  and i’m always left in awe at the thought no one ever enters our life by chance..
  there’s a purpose for them being there.
  i truly believe that~

  so. thank you, friends. for showing up in this little square to share in my life and cheer me on!! ~

  but .. back to the moving business.
  i’ve tossed the idea around for years…
  i thought there was a time i wanted to “grow” my blog.. to branch out. to see where it might go.
  then i shied away. it felt maybe like i was being presumptuous. who did i think i was!!
  even unspiritual. because.. aren’t we supposed to be doing this for God? not ourselves. not others.
  not seeking accolades and affirmation.

  well. i hope that’s not the MOTIVE that drives me..
  but i would be lying to say the people don’t matter at all. 
  i love the interaction. the input. the great conversation we have.
  and i hope i’ve grown and am growing still in keeping it all in perspective, as i wrote about here.
  of not letting it get more important than it should.
  and whether two show up or twenty, to be grateful…
  because having anyone at all think that what we write is worth their time to read is an honor. and humbling.

  but i think there’s also an aspect in recognizing those things we love to do. feel inspired to do..
  whether writing or taking pictures or designing or cooking or growing things or music or encouraging others,
  GOD is the one who has put those things in us.
  those interests and abilities and dare i say it, gifts?

  why do we have such a hard time accepting our strengths?
  we can talk all day about our weaknesses…
  but when someone mentions something we’re good it, we blush and stammer about and think there’s godliness or something in downplaying it.

  not that we should walk around like we’re all that.
  no. i wouldn’t want to be your friend if you did, nor you mine.
  but there is that whole other side that we often don’t talk about.
  the fact that maybe.. just maybe God has put something in you and it’s up to you to follow that.
  to see where it might lead. to work on making something happen.

  i’ve been so encouraged in the past by some of emily freeman’s post over at chatting at the sky about writing a book~
  she shared how that a publishing company didn’t come to her. she went to them!
  she went after her dream. and now.. she’s working on her third book.

  same with the nester. she wrote that she attended a blogging conference and came home and told her husband -
  i’m going to be more intentional about my blog.
  and because of that she’s helped pay off nearly 140 thousand dollars of their debt!

  it was really her story that made me sit up and rethink some of this.
  pay off debt? hello!!!!!  

  and i know people always say, “well, we have to pray and ask God what His will is,” etc etc…. 
  but sometimes i wonder if we don’t over complicate His will by sitting around waiting on all these   signs and feelings.
  i mean, anyone follow that with me?

  i’m far from any authority on it, but i think “God’s will” is for us to glorify Him – in whatever we do!
  but as far as specifics… He’s already put many of those things within us.

  He’s already equipped us!

  and… just another quick thought, sometimes i feel we lose sight of the fact that God WANTS us to enjoy life?
  not that that means things will be easy. or we’ll spend our winters in jamaica! you know what i’m saying.
  but there is a joy that comes when we do what we love. what God has put within us to do!

  hopefully that makes sense.
  and most of all, hopefully this whole thing doesn’t come across like i think i’m the next great blogger.
  stand back ladies!!!
  haha. not at all.

  just processing my decision outloud here..
  concluding that i think i’d rather take a risk and try something new then to look back and feel i never did!

  and that’s just not with blogging. but so many other things in life as well~

  and as i kinda talk myself into being more courageous, i hope you grab hold of it too!
  for us all to not be afraid to walk through whatever door is in front of us right now.
  whatever it looks like.
  whether huge – like moving to canada!! or small, like moving to another blog host!!

  so. maybe once i sort out things like transferring archives and putting up headers and getting the new spot fixed all up, you’ll come visit me?

  or better yet. wanna just pack up and come too???

  it’s like going to college. you’d feel so much better if you already knew your roommates!

  
  
  
  
  amber.

  p.s. i also reserve the right to completely change my mind about this entire thing~ God’s will and all!! 
  

  • 5:19 pm
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