How many of you blog surf? I do. I'm not on facebook because I'm sure I would surf/stalk there as well. Here's what happens and what I need to be aware of.
I start out innocently checking on a few blogs that I read regularly. Then, I start clicking on comments, bouncing around from blog to blog. Sometimes I run into people that I know (that's weird!) sometimes I just lurk. You know what happened today? Something that is rather dangerous. I started to feel inadequate. I HATE when I feel like that. I ended up in Virginia on some woman's front porch that she had just made over (it was very nice) and suddenly became very sad about the front porch that I have. I have one of the sweetest little houses ever, little sweet front porch. However, you know what else I have? Three little people. Three little people that love boxes. Three little people (4 Monday-Friday)that like boxes and playdough. Three little people that like boxes, playdough and walking THROUGH the screen door...like, through the screen. I live in a very blooming place and so it's white with a yellow tint. Guys, it's a mess. All of a sudden all that I do wasn't good enough because my porch, well, it sucks. I know that sweet lady has no intentions of her blog making me feel bad. I'm sure I'll find my way back there someday when I'm all grown up. What happens is we start poking our noses around everyone else's space (it's way fun...I know) and then we aren't good enough cooks, photographers, parents, wives, shoppers, cleaners...you name it. I love, love, love the internet. I love that there are people I don't even know that have taught me so much. What I don't love is how the enemy often uses it against me so that I feel like nothing I do is good enough. Several verses come to mind (I'm doing this off the cuff...they may be off a little) Micah 6:8, "He has shown thee, Oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee, but to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." It's KJV cause it's a song! Another one says that we shouldn't compare ourselves by ourselves because when we do that, we aren't wise.
So, I'm supposed to be cleaning up while the three kids I have are sleeping because we are having one of our favorite Teams over for dinner and here I sit, thinking that I should, instead, set the porch on fire and start from scratch. I am so very thankful that there are people that can do makeovers for the rest of us to learn from. Right now, however, the only thing that's getting a makeover is me. God continues to refine me and make me more like His precious Son. So, if you come over, you may see my front porch and feel better or worse about yourself. Either way, I hope that when you enter my home you find yourself in a place of grace and that you'll come back.
P.S.
I feel like I must be clear (being misunderstood is an idol of mine...I'm a dirty sinner, I know) I love seeing how people have changed and made their things beautiful. I want to learn from them. Sometimes, I just have to stop surfing and start thanking because what I have is pretty great too.
4 comments:
Exactly. I find myself doing that & I have to tell myself NOT to do it. With homeschooling, with mothering, with everything. It's a huge pitfall we can fall in to.
Wow, I did the exact same thing last night and this morning! I somehow stumbled upon a blogger who had organized her laundry room over the weekend. It looked so neat and tidy and pretty. I was inspired and I went to work first thing this morning. Only...when I finished, I felt just like you...Mine still sucks!! But then I remembered how thankful I am that I have a washer and dryer and can afford the electricity bill...yada-yada...you know how that goes. Thank you for sharing your story. I completely identify with the same struggle and agree that we are such a blessed people and just need to continually remind ourselves that Jesus is the standard, not the cute new blog on the block. :)
Love you sister!
Audrey
I LOVED both this post and the Harvest post as well. I never realized that the reason I am sometimes in a bad mood after I read blogs is that feeling of inadequacy. Glad to hear of His grace leading you guys in your time at home. Sounds like some priceless learning is going on. Love you friend! -Lia
so true...I've found myself doing the same. We are our own worst critics, but being thankful for our blessings in front of us keeps perspective. I too enjoy learning from others and being inspired to improve, but we have to be careful not to compare ourselves. I loved this verse and quote I read yesterday "A gracious woman retaineth honour"-Prov. 11:16
"I feel to invite every woman everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass."
-by former President Gordon B. Hinckely
(It really spoke to me, I LOVED and thought it went well w/ what your post was on!)
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