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First Ice Cream of the Season and Other Random Thoughts

Last week, on our first 70-degree day of 2008, we took the family to get ice creams.  This will be the first of many such after-dinner excursions.   I don’t know why C is wearing her winter coat.  It was a gorgeous night.

Of course, today the temperatures are back into the 50s.  Gotta love April.

Church this morning gave me a lot of food for thought.  I often wonder what I’m doing with the blog.  Is it a waste of time that I should be spending on more holy pursuits, or is it an opportunity for me to put my gifts to use by bringing women together and bringing new products to moms?  Is it simply a place to socialize and ramble, or does it serve a greater purpose?  Do I share too much, or should I share more?  Am I really being myself?  I evaluate these questions often.

In Sunday School, we discussed the doctrine of Soli Deo Gloria! (for the glory of God alone).  Or in other words, all of life is to be lived to the glory of God. 

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God; Blessing and
glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to
our God forever and ever. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (1CO 10:31;REV 7:12; ROM 11:36)

I think this means NOT that we have to ALWAYS be talking of spiritual things or doing works of service (although we certainly should be doing those things), but that no matter what we are doing and saying, it should be with integrity and pure motive, and with a heart to please God, whether we’re shopping at Target, cleaning toilets, playing with our children, or leading a Bible study.  (Or yacking on the blog!)

Our pastor made the point that there is no division between sacred and secular, and that all life is to be lived under the lordship of Christ.  So whether we work in Christian ministry or in a corporate office building or in the home, no one’s work is more valuable than another’s, and it all can be done for the glory of God. 

There are two extremes that we tend to fall into.  When we fail to give God glory in what we say and do, then we elevate the secular above the spiritual, and we lose sight of our primary purpose for living.  (As the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of
man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.")  But on the other hand, when we seclude ourselves and abandon the secular, we elevate the spiritual, which leads to legalism and pride.

As I reflect on my life, I think I have fallen into both extremes at one time or another.  At this point in my life, I fear I tend to lean toward the secular extreme.  It’s easy to get caught up in the cares of the world.  Which makes me think of the blog and what I write about and how to keep the proper balance.  Sometimes I feel guilty that I don’t conclude every post with a deep spiritual thought.  On the other hand, I realize that even when I’m writing about what I’m wearing and what cute new thing my
kids are doing, not even that stuff is outside of God’s glory.

Of course, that means that I have to constantly be evaluating my motives and where my heart is when I write, just as I should be evaluating my motives and my heart when I’m parenting my children and speaking to my husband, and yes, leading a Bible study, or even cleaning the toilet.  Which I try to do as infrequently as possible. Certainly not everything I write is going to be deep and spiritual (and I don’t think it has to be) but ultimately it should be for God’s glory, not my own.  I guess I’m still trying to figure out how that looks, practically speaking.

On that note, I’m off to enjoy the rest of the Lord’s day — and that will NOT include cleaning a toilet.  Hopefully it will include a nap.  After all, I can even nap to the glory of God!

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17 Responses

  1. Okay. Who is Deidre? And why did she just say what I was JUST GOING TO SAY?

    Because after the lights were out last night, I rolled out of bed to sneak off and jot down thoughts for just such a blog topic!

    The Spirit. He is moving.

    So now, I have to decide if I’m just going to LINK to you and say “What she said. Yeah.” Or finish formulating my own thoughts and convictions on this issue.

    And thanks for sharing what you heard in church today, because I skipped this morning so I could sleep in. (Because you READ ABOUT MY WEEK right??)

    But seriously, I feel better about it, because I kinda’ feel like I went now. Ha!

    Hugs!

  2. First ice cream of 1998? Did you skip back in time or am I missing something?

    All of your kids have the EXACT same smiles.. I love it.

    And as for the blogging? I don’t think you have to end EVERY post with some profound thought. That, to me, is not what blogging is all about. I think it’s about seeing you, with your talents AND imperfections. I think it’s about being authentic. And if you’re being authentic, isn’t that what Christ wants us to be?

    I can’t be more real than I am on my blog. The good, the bad, the ugly… it’s who I am. Sometimes I get deep and sometimes I just let ‘er rip with the stupid stuff that I do… but it’s me.

    Just my two cents.

  3. Good food for thought on a Sunday 🙂 Sometimes when people try to be too profound I tend to tune it out. It’s the profoundness mixed in with the everyday realities of life that really speaks to me.

  4. Ha! I just woke up and let me tell you, God was honored during my nap 🙂

    Seriously, I have been thinking of this very thing (and even have a post in my drafts to publish this week). I enjoy visiting here and reading about products, your family, clothing and the Lord. It’s all good and God is never dishonored.

  5. I have been mulling these same thoughts over, and have even written just a tad here and there the last few weeks about what God has been saying to me. Our blogs are an extension of our lives, a peek into the real us, and as such we need to remember Who we are and Why we are.

    And He doesn’t mind if we throw in some fun, as long as we keep it real. You, my bloggy friend, do a good job of keeping it real!! God bless you. And us, everyone!!

  6. Your kids are too, too cute. And I was going to say the same thing Heather did – they have the exact same smiles! Adorable!

    For what it’s worth, from what I read on your blog, you seem to be quite balanced. You definitely speak of your faith and show you are a woman of integrity at the same time being entertaining and funny. And real. That’s why I keep coming back – it’s fun to come read what you have to say and you never say anything offensive. That says a lot right there. I can tell just by the way you write things that you are living a life that pleases God, and He most definitely shines through you.

    I don’t think every post needs to end with a deep spiritual thought. I imagine when people hung out with Jesus, he was often just fun to be around and didn’t necessarily end his conversations with deep spirituality. I would imagine sometimes it was lighthearted. If you were ‘preaching’ all the time, then that may turn some people off. I think the balance you have reaches many people who might not come back if every post ended like that. At the same time, you don’t hide what you believe. So I think you have a fantastic balance. And I think you are doing a fabulous job!

  7. I’ve been wondering the same thing about blogging. Interesting so many of us have been questioning it. I do believe God should be in every part and there is no distinction for Christians but sometimes I think maybe my time could be spent in better ways. Then you get back to maybe living an authentic Christian life and sharing that with others is time well spent. I’m not sure I have an answer yet.

  8. ok, so I love the kids smiles. precious.
    As far as this whole blog thing goes, I do struggle with what I write and how much I write and how much time I spend doing this, when I could be doing things for other people. Maybe my thoughts or words help someone when I leave them a comment. So, maybe I am doing something good after all? Loved the post. Thanks for the thoughts.

  9. Perfect post! I’m always thinking about this–not just in regards to blogging, but also just motherhood. Per our conversation about ministry, I sometimes feel (and I’m not saying it’s right) like I should be doing “more” for God than potty training and running to Target. So, to be reminded that EVERYTHING is for his glory–is GOOD! Thanks!

  10. Okay, is it just me, or is there something floating around in the blogosphere that’s making us all wax thoughtful about why we’re doing this? I wrote up a big ol’ post last night about this very thing, and this post (I’m obviously catching up here right now) is the third post I’ve read today about the reason we blog. It’s good… I think we’re all trying to figure out exactly why we put so much time into something that makes us so vulnerable. Maybe… or not… I dunno. 🙂

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