I worked about 14 hours yesterday. Unfortunately, none of it was on this blog.
I’d previously announced, quite happily, that I would be blogging all through August six days a week. I had good intentions, a workable plan, and numerous questions in my inbox to fuel plenty of days of Q&A with J for Hot, Holy & Humorous.
But then, there was this deadline. And a project I’d expected to spend several hours on became many, many hours. Plus, there were summer family plans and kids getting ready for school and obligations to my church and my writing groups and others. Tuesday, I finally hit that “the buck stops here” moment and determined to do nothing else until I’d met that one massive deadline looming over me like King Kong on a caffeine trip.
My presumption was that I’d be done by Wednesday. I finished today, Friday. Of course.
In the wake of my overfull schedule, I neglected my blog.
I certainly hadn’t forgotten my good intentions, the questions I definitely want to answer, and the readers who make this ministry such a wonderful experience for me.
But I also remembered why I usually blog twice a week.
Some other marriage bloggers manage 3, 5, or even 7 days a week. Which is admirable, and I salute them with a full-fledged, way-to-go fist bump. My life is little more disjointed.
Among the hats I wear:
- Mother of two teenage boys
- Marriage and intimacy author
- Church ministry volunteer
- Writers group board member
- Teen fiction writer
- Daughter of an ailing parent
- Friend (and I feel horrible about the friends I’ve neglected lately)
- Household manager
- Online writing class teacher
- Wife to a terrific husband
That last one has been especially difficult to give full attention to lately — with my deadlines nipping at my heels, sure, but even more so, my husband’s job swallowing whole days and making our time together brief. It’s just for a season, but I don’t like it.
I’m not complaining, though. Because my life is good, and frankly I don’t think I’m more busy than you all are. Life’s just extra-full these days, and we have to be purposeful in pursuing the right priorities and making every moment count.
I am, however, warning you. For those who subscribe, these posts are scheduled to get sent out at 3:00 p.m. daily. I said six days a week, and I meant six days a week. Since I’m behind, I’m warning you that I’m doubling up. If you get two posts in your inbox tomorrow and Sunday, yes, that was intentional. If you think that’s annoying, I suggest you scan the titles and delete the one you don’t want to read. (Yeah, that little X button is pretty handy, right?)
I should be back on track next week. Should be. Thankfully, I have a readership filled with grace for my oopses. At least assume you are, or you wouldn’t still be reading. Because I’m quite literally a mess some days.
How about I forgive you for your house not being clean or your laundry not being folded or your announcement to your family tonight that dinner is whatever they can find in the cereal boxes in your pantry? And you forgive me for not meeting all my good intentions?
As is true of the Christian life as a whole, I’m aiming for better tomorrow.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Cut yourself some slack, j. Life happens, and ministry is what happens when you’re on your way to do something you think is important. You do a great job and I appreciate you.
Thank you!
‘Fist pump’ again? Second time this summer….LOL. 🙂
I live with teenagers! Maybe that’s why. 😉
Oh my goodness, I just re-read that. I said “fist PUMP” again?!! *facepalm*
Thank you for sharing yourself so honestly! I believe this is a season of busy-ness for many right now… myself included. Thank you for reminding me to give myself the same grace I would give anyone else! And THANK YOU for that verse…. 🙂 Seasons change… and soon we will be back to routines… hang in there! Love reading your thoughts! 🙂 Blessings to you!
Mrs. Parker, The Lord is your strength. What you are doing is touching and impacting lives and marriages.
Hey, husband and family are very important…. You know that! Although I love reading your emails, I think that you need to be a little easier on yourself. Hugs!
j, I agree that you need to give yourself some grace! This is a ministry and I would rather wait for a God inspired post than something to just meet a deadline. I understand that deadlines can be a good thing, but in this case, accept the grace that your readers extend. It’s our way of blessing you the way you have blessed us.