Friday, October 3, 2008

Where Does the Time Go?

One of my Christmas traditions is to send cards to friends and family. Many of these people I haven't seen in a long time and yet every year I write the same note: "Let's get together soon!" I have honest and great intentions but most of the time another year passes before I have a chance to make good on the suggestion.

Sometimes I wonder if they even remember who I am. I begin to think, "perhaps I shouldn't bother them with more mail" or "I'm sure it would be awkward to call them up out of the blue."

That is how I have been feeling about my blog lately. I haven't written in so long! The more I think about how long it has been since I have written, the more I think "just give it up, you are not a blogger."

There have been many things I have wanted to blog about over the past couple of weeks but when I sit down to type my mind goes blank. There is definitely truth to the idea that blogging regularly is like exercise for your brain, it trains you to think in "story terms". But just like any other exercise, if you stop using your "story muscle" it loses it's strength fast.

I have felt so guilty about putting off posting that I haven't even looked at my blog. I was sure you all had gotten tired of checking in with me and moved on to "updated" sites. But this morning I finally opened my blog and read the comments, prayers and words of encouragement! I feel a bit like Tony Orlando when he saw the "Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree..." Thanks for not giving up on me or forgetting about me. I do love this community and I have missed it (meaning all of you) very much!!

So now that I have "broken my silence" I do promise to write again very soon. No, really I mean it!!! LOL As usual my life has been filled with all kinds of activity, drama, comedy, highs, lows, laughter and tears (and of course a steady flow of laundry) but I have felt God's presence in amazing ways throughout the past couple of weeks and I can't wait to engage my "story muscle" and blog all about it!!

42 comments:

Kelly said...

Well, I have indeed been checking back to see if you updated. It's hard to keep blogging when life gets in the way. But the warmth and acceptance of this Christian blogging community has made it worth it to me.

And I hope it is worth it to you.

Glad you're back! keep in touch.

Joyful said...

Hi Kelley,

Glad to know all is fine. I have your blog listed on my bloglines so that I receive a notification if you post anything new. Just yesterday I came by your site as I thought my bloglines wasn't giving me updates - you were uncharacteristically silent :o)

Thankful all is well. As I've been taking a sabbatical from blog world myself, I'm finding that more and more ladies have also needed a time away to refresh, reconnect with family and friends in the 'real' world and just put the whole blogging scene in perspective. I was feeling too much pressure to post and follow the almost 50 blogs that I've made connection with over the past several months. This break for me has been good, and when God gives me something to write again, I'll be back.

Embracing the moment,
Sending love & prayers,
Joy

Christina said...

Join the club. I am not the most faithful blogger since life seems to get in the way quite a bit, but like you I love the blogging community, and figure someday I will get my act together.

Paulette said...

Dear Kelley,

I am always so blessed by your blogs. Just blog when you can. They are worth waiting for.

Blessings, Paulette

On Purpose said...

Kelley I have missed you, but I have been praying, each time I visited the site and noticed there was no update...I said a prayer knowing you were doing something else...and we are where God needs us at the time!

Love to you!

luvmy4sons said...

Good to hear from you. Glad to know all is well. Hope to see you around more, but I think everyone understands life getting in the way.

LeeBird3 said...

You know what I do, Kelley? If a blog idea pops in my mind when I don't have the time to write about it, I go into my blog and just create a title for the blog post and save it. It reminds me of what I wanted to say.

Christy said...

I'm glad to know everything is well with you. I don't know how some of these bloggers are able to do it everyday! Amazing!

There is definitely a balance between life and blogging. It is something I continue to keep perspective on. As much as I love to read blogs and create my own, I have to keep my priorities in order.

I look forward though to what you are going to be sharing. i love reading your posts!

Pat said...

Kelley,
DON'T Quit! I could have written exactly what you wrote.

I love your blog and enjoy the posts that you are able to make. Not only that but I need the occasional visits that you make to mine to keep going myself.

Let's just keep on and agree to do our best to get better and better!
Blessings!
Pat

Angela Baylis said...

We all feel the same way at times. You are such an amazing girl and I know you'll be ready to write again soon. In the meantime, know that you are loved and missed by many, especially this friend in Michigan!
So much love,
Angie xoxo

p.s. I would NEVER give up on you! I love your blog too much! :)

Tracy said...

Hi Kelley,
Good to hear from you. Oh, I really hope you continue blogging! I haven't been doing this nearly as long as many of you, and yet I have plenty of times when I have time to sit and post and my mind just doesn't cooperate! Don't put pressure on yourself to post at any particular frequency. We know your life must be crazy-busy! What I love about your blog is that it's a place of warmth, love and real family life. Don't worry about us...we'll be here...just blog when you can.

Blessings,
Tracy

cautious1 said...

I'm glad to see that you will be back to posting. I regularly read your blog and had noticed that you hadn't written in awhile. I'm sure with the kids back in school, life gets eeven crazier (if that's possible :)

Look forward to hearing about what you've been up to!

Anonymous said...

You're just suffering from typical "being a mom" stuff. We all go through it. Write when you can. Personally, I check in every as often as I can too. I have days when I have lots of time to read and other when I barely have any. Just promise me you won't beat yourself up. When you write, it's very enjoyable and it gets to the heart of the matter. You have something to say and you write it well!

Runner Mom said...

We HAVE missed you! But I do understand!! I'll be back to check later on! You're in my prayers.
Love ya,
Susan

Joy Junktion said...

Hey Kelley,

I am so glad to hear that you are doing well and just taking a well deserved blog break. I have missed you but know that we all must keep our priorities in order.

I love blogging but can also spend too much time focusing on that and not the most important things in life.

Don't give up ~ just blog when you can and we'll be here to check it out when you do.

Blessings, Cindy

Unknown said...

Lelia once told me to not apologize for spending time with family and "life" things. Glad you are back, but more importantly, I'm glad you put your life and your family before us bloggers! :)

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

Jamie said...

I can completely relate! Sometimes life is busy and it's hard to get thoughts to form to create a blog post.
I look forward to reading your blog...post when you can, we'll still be here.

Susan said...

Welcome Back Kelly, you have been so MISSED!!

I love your life/lessons/stories!!

They make me smile and teach me more about how amazing our God truly is.

Stop on by when you get a chance, I have a give-a-way going on!

I'm sure you could use some pampering.

Blessings my sweet friend♥

Laurie Ann said...

Welcome back to blogland! I've been checking to see if you've updated and have been praying all is well for you and your family. I have missed your posts! Giving up is a no no. Satan would love that, and we love your posts too much!

Unknown said...

I've been checking. I figured life had gotten busy. Glad to see you back :) No pressure, blog when you can!

Jenny said...

I'm with you my blogging has been very little lately. Maybe it is just a season. I have missed you though!

Paula V said...

Glad to have you back. With the handy bloglist, I don't have to physically check your blog every day or so often, I just look at my side bar for a recent post. The beauty of technology.

Look forward to your stories.

Yes, blogland is very special and unique. Who'da ever thunk we've find such wonderful friends and relationships with women we most likely will never meet this side of Heaven.

I was worried about ya there for awhile.
Sweet blessings,
Paula

Carol said...

Hey girl! Good to hear from you. I know the feeling. Sometimes life is just so full there's no time to blog. And you know what? That is okay. I'm glad you are doing well! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there again!
Good to hear from you again and see you are up and "running" so to speak. I have missed hearing your stories, but as Joy said I too have been taking a bit of a break... ok, not as long as she has, but at least several days over the weekend, to try to take a break adn spend that time with my family, and give my eyes a rest. (they have been bothering me... come to find out today, i need new glasses... ok, glasses period...) :)

anyway, it is good to see you back. Hope you were blessed by the time away!
God bless,
Heather

Rhonda said...

So looking forward to ready what you have to 'say'. Welcome back!

Lelia Chealey said...

You know girl, if you ever run out of stuff to "say", I can share. Perhaps Alyssa is having twins...LOL, you'd have to blog on that cuz I'd be dead! ;)
You're like Arnold Schwarzenegger..."I'm baaack".
You know I love you,
Lelia
I'm coming down soon! The kids are off for a week the end of this month so I'll call you.
xoxo

Lisa said...

Make sure blogging stays fun...don't feel like you have to do it.

I laughed at your previous post. At 33 I am experiencing the metabolism thing and up to this point, running has been enough for me, too.

Oh well, we do our best, right?

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

I have a tendency to go on a "blog" silence too...sometimes I feel mine are not the least bit interesting and why would anyone want to read them anyway, but then I sometimes have a desire to "share" what might be going on in my life simply for the support, words of encouragement and yes, prayer....so I keep on keeping on!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

We'll always be here for ya!

Kathi said...

Kelley, Thanks for you openness and honesty. I have felt this way many times too.

Sometimes I question,"Why am I doing this?"

Other times I look at my sitemeter, which I really should either remove or quit looking so much.

It's all about why I guess. I am now re-thinking the why. Do I do this to encourage others? Does it glorify God? Am I trying to be popular? Am I sharing news so my parents can read? Well, all of the above. I'm ashamed to admit the popular one, and have since resovlved to not want to be popular, but rather, just let God be glorified. Whew, sorry for writing a book on your blog. I have enjoyed your blog and you encourage me. Just go at your own pace Kelley. God will give you a word or picture or story that will bless you, others and Him. Hugs, Kathi

Debbie said...

Welcome back!!

Debbie

Anonymous said...

Kelley,

I hope things are continuing to go well, and that you are experiencing much joy and peace, love and laughter with your family.
May God bless you richly. You are doing exactly what He wants from you... serving your family.. that is your first calling after following Him... and I am glad to hear that you are doing just that.
God bless,
Heather

Leaon Mary said...

Hey Kelley,
Just droppin in for my Kelley FIX.
I sure related about staring at a blank screen etc etc.
But I want you to know what a blessing you are to me! Your posts so often LIFT ENCOURAGE, ENLIGHTEN AND INSPIRE me. ~ My life is better for having read you. ;) I know life happens, and it would be so nice if there were 8 days in a week... but please... Keep writing... your story muscle IN CHRIST is stronger than you may think?
Love n blessings,
Lea
<*)))><

Jami said...

Kelley - don't quit!! I'd miss you! Happy to see you back!

Kristen said...

Kelly,
Couldn't think of moving on... I love your blog and can truly understand "bloggers block"! :)
Sometimes God wants us to sabbath ourselves from things... perhaps that's just what He is giving you. Some rest! I look forward to your next post... when God's timing is right for you!

God Bless!
Love,
Kristen

Pamela (His maidservant) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Sometimes we need silent times...desert times to draw closer to Him. Take advantage of that Kelley. I haven't forgotten our lunch date committment. I will be calling soon!!
Blessings!

In His Graces~Pamela

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

It was so fun to get an update. I haven't emailed you about my blog since I know that you were taking a hiatus and I so I hadn't thought much in terms of an update either. Let me know if you're ready. :)

Amy said...

Hi Kelley!

I just wanted to drop by and say hello, and let you know that I was thinking of you. I hope that all is well with you and your family.

Take care of yourself!
God Bless,
Amy:)

Joyful said...

Hey Kelley,
Just dropping by to say you're in my thoughts and prayers. Trust all is well.

Love ya,
Joy

Angela Baylis said...

Your bloggy friends miss you! Hope all is well with you and your family!
Take good care...
Love,
Angie xoxo

Meridith said...

I found your blog on LWG Blogroll... I'm excited to find other Christian women to connect with... off to read more of your blog...