From My Heart...
"I pop on your blog & read about once a week or so. I found you through the articles you wrote for LAF...The whole ‘blog society thing’ isn’t really my cup of tea so I don’t comment all that often anyway, although I do enjoy thought provoking essays! You provide that.
The following is meant to be a compliment, so I hope I present it as such… Tact isn’t my strong suit, but God & I are working on it – continuously! I want to let you know that your continual spiritual maturity & growth are evident. I always find that good to hear– especially when it doesn’t feel like it! Lol I’ve watched you grow in your writing & presentation over the last year or two or from whenever I first read your material. So I wanted you to be reminded of that.
To be perfectly honest, although from the very beginning I’ve agreed with most of the principles you write about, I was often offended because of the way you presented it. As I grow myself, I’ve found that with maturity comes a gentleness when sharing truth. I see that in you now. I love it! (I’ve had my own battle with pride & humility, so often when I’m vexed by someone it’s generally what I loath in myself. Oh mirror, mirror on the wall…) I’ve forgiven your ‘impertinence’ and I hope you can forgive mine." -J.M.
Thank you for your letter, J.M. I praise the Lord for how He is continuing to mold me and shape me more into His image. I know I have a long way to go. Gentleness and meekness, along with humility, are some areas I really need to work on in my life. I have been praying daily for the Lord to fill me with His love -- that He would write through me, speak through me, love through me, live through me. Without Him, I am nothing. In my own strength, I am incapable of doing anything good.
Blogging has been a great tool for me to realize my own inadequacies and areas where I needed to work on -- namely, having more graceful speech and a gentle spirit. I look back on some things I have written in years past and am offended at myself! I'm sure I'll look back in a few years at things I write now and wonder what I was thinking then as well. But, the more I write, the more it helps me to think through things, research God's Word, discuss things with my husband, and further examine why I believe what I believe and how I can best present that to others in a God-honoring fashion. I still have a long way to go in this department, but the Lord is kindly and patiently chipping away at His Crystal. I want others to see Christ in me -- not Crystal. I want Christ to increase and Crystal to decrease. The more I can spend focusing on the Lord, the less of myself there will be. It is a constant battle and struggle but the Lord is long-suffering with me! I thank all of you who have been and continue to be patient with me as I learn and grow.
Carmon's post was especially fitting as I have been thinking about these things recently. Read her newest addition to the Prairie Muffin Manifesto:
42) We are reminded in Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prairie Muffins must refrain from being mouthy, including online. It is not our place to always set everyone straight or tell everything we know. In fact, Proverbs also warns us not to answer a fool according to his folly (Proverbs 26:4), so pray for wisdom before unleashing your opinions like any fool with a keyboard. This entreaty to restraint particularly applies to battles of which you have no part. She who has ears to hear, read carefully the admonitions of the great Puritan preacher, Matthew Poole, on the issue of detraction, an admonition that is never more timely though written hundreds of years ago. Then go back to Proverbs, starting with chapter one, because if you want to be a Proverbs 31 woman, then that’s the place to begin.
Blogging is a great thing and I enjoy it, but it can take too much time -- time that would be better spent elsewhere. So, I'll still be around, and some days I might still post five times. But, if you don't hear from me for a few days, or if it takes awhile for me to answer your email or respond to your question, you'll know where I am... probably on the floor playing puzzles with Kathrynne, or at the table sipping tea and in a deep discussion with my husband, or scrubbing a toilet, or folding some clothes, or curled up with a good book, or maybe even finishing my cross-stitch project.
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:17 AM
6 Comments:
'Gentleness and meekness, along with humility, are some areas I really need to work on in my life.'
'Blogging has been a great tool for me to realize my own inadequacies and areas where I needed to work on -- namely, having more graceful speech and a gentle spirit.'
**(Reading and commenting since I don't have a blog**
These two quotes fit me as well. Up until about 6 months ago I didn't even know what a 'blog' was....but I've found out I sure do enjoy reading and commenting on them. However,I cringe when I think of some of the comments I've made on people's blogs....and how sharp some of my words have been. I've been trying to work on that, after all God gave us 2 ears to listen and only 1 mouth to talk. (o; I must say though, that I've noticed some positive aspects to it as well....such as: thinking through things, researching God's Word, knowing why I believe what I believe and how I can best present that to others in a God-honoring fashion and also trying to understand where other people are coming from...especially those who believe differently than me.
Another thing I've had to work on is not spending too much time on the computer. I've found that I can sit down and have it feel like only 15 minutes have passed, but when I look at the clock hours have passed! As much as I miss having you post as frequently, Crystal, it's probably been better, for me, that you've slowed down. I never want my housekeeping to become something that I try to 'get over with quickly' so that I can be on to 'better' or 'more important' things.....Keeping my home is one of the MOST important things!
Amen. Being a responsible blogger and blog-reader is difficult for me, because I love the stimulating discussion and the opportunity to think through issues as I post and comment! But I am working on discipline. I can imagine that having a child only adds to the necessity of keeping your priorities straight. I commend you for always seeking to do so!
Tell me about it . . . I think trying to limit one's blogging is a real test of discipline. It's so easy for me to take a "quick" blogging break at my desk, but then it's never that quick . . . I'm trying to limit myself to an hour a night of posting and surfing, and maybe checking in during my lunch break.
As for gentleness, I think this blog sets a nice tone and one that I try to emulate. And Mrs. B is always gracious!
'As for gentleness, I think this blog sets a nice tone and one that I try to emulate. And Mrs. B is always gracious!'
**sigh and warm fuzzy feeling**....THANK YOU HF! I've ALWAYS found you to be gracious as well! (o:
Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement Mrs. B, Erin, and HF. I have the most wonderful readers!
You do have a great blog, Crystal! I wish that I could write as good as you do! I understand completely when you do not blog as much! Babies grow up way too fast! I cannot believe that Anthony is 18 months already!
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