Some of my academics have been put on the back burner recently, and now I'm really suffering for it. I think tonight will be the worst of it (with a paper due tomorrow), but I do have three exams this week, as well as a project on Friday. And I'm really worried.
My priorities have been off-kilter lately, and I'm only sorry that I've let myself procrastinate so much on homework and spend so little time alone with the Lord. You know I'm so thankful for all of you! Unfortunately, though, blogging is such a passion of mine that I think I get carried away off and on. My blog is very important to me, but I haven't balanced my time well, and hence the reason for this post.
I think I'm going to take the week off from blogging. (I'll plan on being back by the weekend.) I would greatly appreciate any prayers--that I would put God first, as well as focus and work hard to make the most of this opportunity I have to get a college education.
Thank you for your understanding! May the Lord bless you all this week, and I'll hopefully talk to you again soon!
16 comments:
I completely understand, respect and admire your decision, my friend. It is so very important to put God first and it is wonderful that you recognized that, as it is also a testimony to us to search our own hearts and evaluate how our own time is spent. I stand convicted because I haven’t been balancing my time wisely at all lately. Yes, I know you weren’t trying to convict anyone but the Holy Spirit used you (He always does!) :)
I pray the Lord will bless you for this sacrifice (and it is a sacrifice to fast something you love to do) and strengthen your spirit and empower you to accomplish all that is set before you this week. When you put the Lord first, He ALWAYS comes through exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think! I know Eric Ludy said something along those lines in his sermon I sent you :)
And, I know I sent you an email a little while ago, but no rush for a reply, okay? Whenever you get a chance- not a moment before! Praying for you, my friend :)
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
I know the feeling!!!! Too well, actually... :) Thank goodness the Lord is faithful and merciful! :) I'll be praying for you!
Kim
Take care this week! I pray that it is a productive week as well as a "refresher" for you personally and spiritually. I know too well how easy it is to get priorities out of whack myself. *sigh* But you are in a good place when you recognize the need to step back!
Ugh to exams. I never want to go through them again. My prayers are definitely with you. Life is always about striking a balance, isn't it?
You are to be commended for taking a stand and getting that work done. Shhh, we will all tiptoe around cyberspace to make sure you can get all your work done. :) Yes, prayers are in order and I will be saying one for you. :) Take a deep breath and get down to business, neither looking to the right nor to the left. You can do it!! :)
Solid decision, Amber. We'll miss you!
I do the same thing--put off grading my papers or writing because blogging and visiting others blogs is so absorbing! I'll be praying for you!
I completely feel you on this.
I admire your decision! I've scaled back on my social networking lately because I'm not getting the important things done either.
I'm praying for you!! :)
I have to say that I'm just as guilty as the rest when I take more time to do fun things like blog when I should be doing more important things like housework so I do kind of know where you're coming from! God bless you girl! I hope you do well on your exams this week!
XOXO~ Renee
Wow! I came back to my blog this evening (Thursday) to find so many encouraging responses! You all are so sweet, and I thank you for taking the time to comment!
AMANDA: I think I'm the one who stands convicted. Your comments and e-mails are so encouraging, and they help me realize that I need to actually follow through on what I say. I confess that even after taking a break from my blog for most of this week, I still ended up not spending as much time with the Lord as I ought to have. I have so much to learn, and I'm beyond thankful for God's grace and patience with us!
And yes, that CD was convicting, as well! I'm still having trouble with that concept Eric Ludy spoke of--how at times we are only convinced we need sleep when what we most need for rest is time with the Lord. Of course, I realize that sleep is important, too. :) But how often do I try to find my "rest" in anything but God?
Thank you for your kind words and your reminders to follow God with all my heart! You are such a great example to me, my friend. :)
~Amber
KIM: Thank you for your understanding! :) I agree: how much we have to be thankful for! God is so good and so merciful. :D Thank you for your prayers!
And BTW, I took a look at your blog and your portfolio, and you are quite the artist! Great job on your lovely artwork! :D
RUTH: Thank you so much for your prayers! :) And thank you for your understanding, as well. It's a comfort to know that we as blogging friends can sympathize with each other and encourage one another!
KAV: Oh, yes... ;) Well, I finished my Petrine Epistles exam on Tuesday, and today I had a Lab test (for Life Science) and a General Psychology exam. Not too bad, though. I have my Literary Criticism presentation on Monday, which I need to focus on now. But I'm so excited that Tuesday marks the beginning of Thanksgiving break for me! :D Yay!
Anyway, thank you for your prayers!!!
CASEY: Thank you for tip-toeing through cyberspace for me. ;) Also, thank you for your prayers and the extra motivation!
S. DIONNE MOORE: Awww, thank you! I'm often encouraged by my parents to have a better balance in my life, and I know it's something I have to keep working on. Thank you for your support!
~Amber
RENEE ANN: Isn't it amazing how absorbing blogging and visiting other blogs can be? I love it so much, but I definitely need to be careful how much time I spend online. Thank you for your prayers!
MARGARET: I appreciate your understanding. :) It's so hard to find the right balance! I'm glad we can encourage one another!
JOY: Thank you! And I admire you, as well--I'm still a work-in-progress on this issue. Thank you for setting an example for me!
BLUEROSE: Thank you so much! I really, really appreciate the prayers! :D
RENEE: Blogging is so fun, isn't it? It's so hard not to spend hours and hours commenting, posting, and visiting other blogs! Thank you for your understanding and for your kind words!
EVERYONE: Thank you again for your prayers and your support! You all are such blessings in my life, and I'm so, so thankful for your friendship! :D I still have a little more homework this weekend and a presentation on Monday, but soon it will be Thanksgiving break, and I'm not nearly as stressed out as I was Sunday night. Thank you again for everything! :D God bless!
~Amber
YAY! I'm so glad you're back, my friend :D
I know what you mean and you're not alone- when do any of us spend the time with Jesus that we should? I mean, even if it was more than most, He is worthy of so much more, right?
LOL, that Eric Ludy is nothing if not convicting ;) But, he does it in an encouraging-you-can-do-this-in-the-strength-of-Christ kind of way! :) I love when he reffed to 1Peter 5:8. He really put that scripture into perspective for me. Be sober, be vigilant just means to be watchful and be prepared because our adversary the devil is ALWAYS waiting to devour us. I love when he said that when we're not those things that- "We become easy prey for a defeated enemy." WOW- that one knocked me out of my chair!
Anyway, I'm so happy you're back and I'm still praying for you, dear friend :)
Blessings,
Amanda Stanley
Amanda,
Awwww, thank you! Such a warm welcome back to the blogging world! :D It's funny how being gone a few days feels like being gone for such a loooooong time! ;)
And yes, you are so right--God is worthy of so, so much more than we can give, and far more worthy than what we do give. And that line from Eric Ludy was very powerful! God defeated Satan at the cross, and yet we give him advantage over us when we become lazy in our walk with the Lord. Definitely convicting!
Thank you for your kind words and your wonderful reminders and prayers! :D
~Amber
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