“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
~John 13:34
As you know, I’ve been pondering my “word” and the coming year for a while. What one word could summarize what I hope to focus on for 2014? And then, one night as I was sitting at the kitchen table while the rest of the family slept, my eye caught the above verse on our living room wall. Of course, love was the answer I had been looking for.
And yet there were other words that had been pressing themselves on my mind. Words like “order,” “peace,” “intentional,” and “haven.”
My goal is to (Lord willing) spend 2014 intentionally making a peaceful haven for my family through ordering our physical space and our days, and above all, to love.
The intentional living, creating a peaceful haven, and maintaining order are all tangible ways to show love to my family. It all amounts to well-planned nourishing meals, clean clothes in the drawers, and time to give full attention to a young child’s questions and the older child’s dreams. Time for cuddling together on the couch, gardening and crafting together, or digging hands deep in bread dough.
It all amounts to a life well-lived. It all amounts to TIME.
For me, life has been moving entirely too fast. Days slip by, children grow up, and I’m not entirely sure that every moment has been spent the way I hoped.
Too much time has been given to deadlines and hurry and distraction. Fruitless projects that took up a lot of precious time but didn’t really yield anything of lasting value.
And I see a little boy on the verge of manhood. A daughter, already a young lady, needing guidance and friendship. A husband who works so hard, his once-dark hair now peppered with gray.
Where will we all be in five years? In just five short years, my oldest will be almost twenty. How did we get here so fast?
I don’t want to arrive at the future and wonder where the time went. I want to face the future boldly, to smile with anticipation and pleasure as I think of what it holds. And when I get there, I want to know that I was faithful and lived joyfully and abundantly. But in order to live that way, some changes need to be made.
I must live each day intentionally. Not walking around half-awake and distracted. I must be fully awake! I must live each day as it is given, and not try to live in the future or the past.
I’ve got to live out today, and give it the best I’ve got.
Embrace it.
“Memories, important yesterdays, were once todays. Treasure and notice today.”
~Gloria Gaither
I need more time. More time to give to what really matters. Time equals love to my family.
In addition to a strong desire to be more intentional with my time, I’m also dealing with some health issues that are demanding more undivided attention. I really just need some time to rest. Time to think and focus and figure out how I might regain the health and energy that I once enjoyed.
Since we only get twenty-four hours, and I’m finding that it’s not enough, that means something has to go. And I’ve decided it’s this blog.
I just don’t have time for blogging right now. I do enjoy it, but I just don’t have the time for it. And I don’t have time for Facebook either, so I won’t be continuing on with either of my Facebook pages (and they weren’t showing my posts to anyone anyway).
Is this goodbye forever? I’m not sure, but I doubt it. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I just know that I need to go. And most likely for an extended period of time. If I do come back to blogging, it will only be after sensing from God that it’s time.
I will still be continuing on with Lilla Rose. If you’ve ordered from my Lilla Rose website in the past year, thank you so much–what a blessing you have been to our family! If you would like to be notified when I return to blogging (assuming that I’m able), feel free to sign up for email notification here.
Thank you all so much for reading here! Thank you for the kind notes and words of encouragement you’ve sent my way. I so much appreciate your prayers. I pray that you will be blessed in 2014, and I hope to meet up with you again someday!
Many blessings,
fee
I too have been following your blog only about a year, and I'm more of a troller than a participant-but I have been so blessed by you! I've learned so many new crafts, new recipes for homemade things, I found your "6 skirts, 1 pattern" pattern and have outfitted the whole family with it, lol. But I also am blessed by your commitment to your family! Our Christian families are so very much in need of Moms who put them and their needs first, over even the "ministry" of the blogosphere. I will miss you terribly. Will you be able to leave your past posts up online? I didn't realize you were having health issues. I will pray for rest, healing, satisfaction, and renewed vision for you. Thank you for being an online friend and encourager.
Kim Smith
Dear Kim, thank you so much for reading here! I'm so glad you decided to leave a comment! I do plan to leave the blog up, so it will still be here.
I haven't mentioned much about the health problems I've been dealing with, just because I haven't known what to say about them. Thank you so much for the prayers, they are greatly appreciated! I'm still hopeful that one day I'll be able to return. 🙂
Oh please don't go….away for long….I will miss your inspiring posts! I agree with getting rid of your facebook pages though…..those take too much time. Your blog is such a source of encouragment to my dd and I.
I understand though. I pray you feel better and I wish I were closer to be able to come over and give you a hand or just invite you over for tea! May God bless you and strengthen you in your time away.
Aww, thank you! Your comment was such an encouragement to me–especially the wish that we could enjoy tea together! I would so love that! ♥
Blessings as you set aside a time of rest and focused concentration.
I've enjoyed coming here and was always encouraged in my faith and homemaking…
Jennifer, you've been such a blessing! Thank you so much! ♥
♥ God bless you & your family Joy. He convicts our hearts for a reason and He knows what is best for us. I too will miss your posts, but I understand. The season we have with our children is a short one…embrace it!
Thank you, dear friend! Yes, I'm feeling like the season with my children is very short indeed!
I understand. You will be missed in the blogging world. I hope you feel better soon. Your blog has been a deep encouragement to me.
ChristyH
Thank you so much, Christy! I always loved hearing from you!
Joy,
I can't even begin to tell you how you have blessed me over and over again with your inspiring and thought-provoking posts. Often you have said, just what was on my heart, but that I couldn't quite formulate into words. I pray that by this decision, the Lord will be glorified, your family blessed beyond measure, and your health restored quickly. {and you return to blogging – because I'll miss you.}
May your time in His Word richly bless you this year.
Blessings,
Carol {puretsimple.blogspot.com}
Oh, that is so sweet, Carol! Your comments are always a blessing, and thank you so much for all the ways you've encouraged me! ♥
I will miss you!! I'm always inspired when I read your blog. I understand though and may this time away from your blog (however long) be an abundant blessing to you and your family. Your family is most important!!
Much love and blessings to you!
I so appreciate your friendship, Tanya!! I'll miss you, too. ♥
Aww..I've only followed your blog for a short period of time and you've been such a blessing to me. I'm going to miss your blogs. Blessings and peace.
Thanks, Nikki! Blessings and peace to you, also!
This is my heart too,although I have no blog and not on facebook. I pray for gods blessings on you and your family. I have been encouraged and inspired. Thankyou for being
a light. You will be missed!
Christina
Thank you, Christina! I will miss hearing from you as well. Your comments always brighten my day and encourage me! ♥
I got choked up reading this! I'm going to miss you, but I do understand. May God bless you for putting His way first!!
Aww, you're so sweet, Jacinda! I got choked up writing it…and thinking about you getting choked up makes me feel even more like crying! I'm going to miss this so much. But I know it's the right thing for me to do right now. Love you! ♥