Wednesday, July 21, 2010
a true example of christian discipleship...
After five years Tonia has decided to leave the net. I have learned much from this deep thinking compassionate spiritual woman. Such a gift she has for the written word. I will miss reading her insights on life, parenting and God. I wish her well as she pursues a simpler way of living surrounded by those she truly loves.
"this is best advice i can give to you: when you are online, love. listen. assume the best. speak life. pray. learn. leave nothing but traces of grace behind you. arguing over perfect doctrine, shutting people out because they read the wrong books or like the wrong authors, pointing fingers, pointing out sin, endless discussions over politics and religion, mocking brothers and sisters who don't see things the way you do, all of it is such a waste of time and i believe it grieves our Lord. please, leave something behind you that testifies to the life and joy of your salvation!
secondly, be gentle with yourselves. remember that no one can do it all. no one. if you see someone online who seems to have it all together and accomplishes everything perfectly, be assured that you do not have the whole picture. all of us choose where to spend our time at the expense of something else. choose wisely as the Lord leads YOU and let other people flourish where the Lord plants them. the temptations to promote yourself, to seek after traffic, to write nonsense in order to be popular, are great. remember who you are in Christ and why you write. please the Lord and nothing else matters." Tonia @ Study in Brown
Please read the rest here. It's just beautiful.
She has made me stop and pause fro a moment this Wednesday to remember why I started blogging. To share our story of love and perseverance raising a severely disabled child. To celebrate the feast that God has provided each day for our families table. To remember the important events in our life while they are happening instead of replaying them from pictures where I can't remember who is in the picture with us. To celebrate the written word in all it's finery. To promote life and the vocation of marriage with all of it's hills and valleys. To celebrate homemaking and promote modesty and true beauty while laughing just a little at the absurdity of everyday living.
Sometimes I wonder if anyone needs to know anything I might share or if they will just come to it on their own. I am not looking for compliments, although they are lovely to receive. I am wondering if what I have in this space is truly useful to people? Is it encouraging? Real? I am wondering what you want to read about?
So my question today is "Am I doing what I originally set out to do? What is missing?"
Your honest thoughts...
Mary
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
I am inspired by your blog - but even if no one was - it is a worthwhile thing to do. I don't set out to inspire on my blog - just stay in touch with friends and my parents. Sometimes it just is good to get my thoughts out to someone over the age of 11 (even if no one is listening)! I also like the "journal keeping" aspect of the blog. My kids can go back and remember what we did, summer 2010!
I enjoy reading your take on faith and being Catholic as those are 2 things I am trying to improve on. You are a role-model to me. Although we are about the same age, you are light years beyond me spiritually and that's ok, I am just working forward.
Keep up the good work!
Betsy - You are too kind! Really, I am not light years ahead of anyone spiritually. I have had to face some very difficult things and am still working through them and where God wants/needs me to be. I appreciate your calling me a role-model. I do not deserve that title and I hope I never do anything to disgrace it.
Blessings and Grace to you my friend. I appreciate your comments always.
mary- Nothing is missing. Reading your words is a visit with my friend. Miles (and miles and miles) may separate us, but I will always feel connected to you, my friend.
Love.
Charlene - thank you for all of your support and kindness over the years. You have been a steady support and I value your friendship. Thanks for sharing your heart with me for all of these years!
Mary,
You have absolutely achieved that plan. I read your blog daily, to: 1) re-connect with a friend that I miss desperately, and 2) to be inspired and learn to be a better person. You have made me much more aware of the importance of spiritualty and faith in my life. Thank you my friend!
Sharon - time flies when your raising kids...then sending them to college! Yikes when did we get old? Thank you for your encouragement and support throughout our journeys together and even sepperated by time and place. You bless me with your words my friend!
Mary,
thank you for such a sweet post. your kindness goes with me today as I begin to wrap up my time online. thank you, you have encouraged me today.
much love to you as you continue to live your faith here online.
Tonia,
It has been an honor and a pleasure to read your words.
I pray that your life offline is fruitful and full of much joy. Thank you for your inspiration and wisdom these past five years.
Mary,
I so enjoy your blog. It is full of fun, food, faith and love. I miss you soooo much and know it is a way of getting a window into your world. I really struggle with my blog and think about going off-line myself and move into more a journal format aimed at just my family. Once something is posted online it is there forever and I am not sure where I stand with all of that. Then you have the Pope encouraging usage of the net to further the Kingdom. What to do?? More prayer needed on my end. So that is why I don't blog that much. Only 25 times this year..... sigh.....Even Facebook is vexing to me. Time this fall will not be on the internet but focused on schooling and kids.
But enough about me....please keep blogging! Selfishly, I REALLY enjoy it!!!!!
Post a Comment