Blogging Is A Gift... (and a phone dump)

Blogs are so weird.

I mean, really. When you think about it... they're weird. People sharing SO much with whoever cares to read. People feeling like they know people they've never met. Look at my sink. Look at my lunch. Look at my laundry.

Weird.

Do you ever wonder why we read them? Or do you ever stop and think about why on earth we write them?

(Wait... we need some photos... let's phone dump and chat at the same time...)



(Look at my globe).
I'll introspect about my motives and the nuances of those motives until the cows come home.

It's kind of annoying.

As I am naturally analytical like that, from time to time I analyze my motives behind continuing to keep a blog. Why, in the little bits of free time I get, would I choose to document and share my bathroom mirror with the Internets?




I usually need to have a pretty good reason for why I do what I do. I tend toward being intense like that. How is this making good use of my time? How is this benefitting my family... my marriage? How is this glorifying God?

Those are all, of course, well and good to ask.








But, then my mind takes it a step farther. And I start to analyze myself to the point that I begin to see what seems like a fairly innocuous hobby as a thinly veiled attempt to seek approval... recognition... praise.

And I wonder all over again? Why am I really blogging? Why do I feel compelled to not only take a phone pic of my chicken dinner but also share it with people I've never met? Am I trying to show off? To get more "likes"? More comments? More people to tell me things that I love to hear... about my pictures, my kids, my home, my life...








It can all seem just so grossly self-promoting. Me. Me. MEEEEE!!!

Gag.

Isn't my life supposed to be about bringing glory to God? To Jesus Christ? Not to my self!

See? It gets deeeeeep very quickly round here, y'all. Profound, even.








I am nothing if not terribly profound.






But, then, right about the time that I'm about to stop blogging altogether... or Instagramming... or decorating our home... or whatever I've been recently picking apart in my brain and declaring as worldly drivel, a little voice comes in. It says, "Wait a minute, Jacci... you know some things about yourself at this point in your life. You know you tend to over analyze. You know you tend to be intense. You know you need to quit. picking. things. apart."




Consider that you are no longer under the law but have been given freedom in Christ.

Consider that freedom as an invitation to receive even earthly gifts gladly, with thanksgiving, and enjoy them.

Consider the many beneficial things that come from blogging... from Instagramming... from sharing when you're wired to be a sharer.




My Father God is not a kill joy. I am allowed... no, expected... to enjoy the gifts He gives.

Cameras are gifts. Our home is a gift. Our children are gifts. My time with them each day... this fleeting time... gift.


And blogging? As long as it doesn't steal time away from my calling to care for my family and home... make me lazy... encourage idleness... or puff me up. As long as it doesn't get in the way of my devotion to my God... as long as it encourages me toward Him and not away from Him... blogging is a gift.

I know not everyone "gets" it. Some in my own family think it's beyond weird. That's okay. But, truly, for me... this blog has been a gift.


I enjoy it.


I believe I can glorify Him by growing in thankfulness and enjoying all His gifts. Even seemingly silly ones like my little Woohooie.

I am thankful for it. I am thankful for encouragement... from you guys! I am thankful for documented years. Thoughts written down and worked through.




And I'm thankful for eyes to see and ears to hear, among other wonderful things, that my God is a Father... Who gives good things to His beloved children...


...often just for His glory and our ultimate enjoyment in Him.

Amen.