9.24.2008

Inspiration

Anyone else like to blogsurf ? My spellchecker is telling me this is not a real word--HA!

I find that when I blogsurf I'm overcome with inspiration. These Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches from Martha Stewart's website inspire me! So do many other recipes, fabrics and decorating tips. But here's the thing...if I'm not careful I cross that very fine line of being inspired to being envious. Sometimes it gets to be too much and I have to get up and walk away from my computer. Does anyone else experience this? There are so many things I'd like to do--recipes I'd like to try; crafts I'd like to do with my kids; projects I'd like to sew; colors I'd like to paint my walls. That's when I know I've had enough. The last thing I need to be doing right now is painting the rooms of my house!

Why is it so easy to cross that line of "this is beautiful; I appreciate this" to "this is beautiful; I wish I had an ounce of her creativity; I wish my house looked like this." And before I know it, discontent rears its hideous head! The truth is, I love the home that God has provide for our family. I love being here! When I'm home I find myself looking around and letting out little sighs here and there because I'm overwhelmed by the blessings God pours out upon our family.

The truth is~

"My God will meet all my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:19

and He does!

6 comments:

Monica Wilkinson said...

Great reminder - thanks for posting these thoughts. (The ice cream sandwiches did look delish by the way!)

On another note ~ I really appreciate you faithfully commenting at my blog. You are an encouragement and blessing to me and I appreciate you!

I am subscribed to your blog through Bloglines, even though I don't comment much, I do enjoy your cute ideas and thoughtful words.

Thanks!
Monica

Diane said...

It IS very easy to get lost in "blogland". It's also tempting to add more and more to my to-do list. There are so many things that I want to try out for myself. But, there are only so many hours in the day! Thankfulness is the perfect antidote to discontent. Thank you for the reminder. As always, I appreciate what you have to share.

Andi Mae said...

Oh, dear Jenny, I can relate to this so much! It is so easy to get sucked into the constant inspiration that is online and to start comparing yourself to others- I am so guilty of that. Even though blogs are so full of inspiration and encouragement, reading them cannot take the place of living our own lives. I really, really struggle with being disciplined in this area, so it is great to know that I am not alone :)

Sugarcoma said...

For some reason I almost didn't read this post. I'm glad I did though. Thank you for the reminder about being thankful for the gifts that the Lord has blessed us with. My hubby and I have been struggling with this for years as we've considered moving our family of 5 out of our little run down shanty (at least that's what it feels like sometimes). It's actually a great little home that has met our needs for almost 10 years. We just keep looking to "bigger and better" but keep coming back to WHY we're wanting to move. We never seem to have the right motive (this is where the coveting comes in) so we're just waiting to see what the Lord provides. And maybe it's just another storage shed! Ha.

Whenever I start blogsurfing I get really inspired...and then really overwhelmed. Thanks for the reminder to step away. Huh, I didn't think that was an option.

Elizabeth Morrison said...

It's a little different for me - replace the envy with pain and it's right on target. I've been waiting for children for 5 1/2 years... all I've ever wanted was to be a mom... He IS faithful, and He WILL provide, but in the meantime, blogland is FULL of moms. It seems almost a prerequisite for being part of the "club", lol. Anyway... what makes MY heart ache isn't the longing for a more beautiful home or a craftier me, but seeing full, happy families. For a while it inspires me... then self-pity tries to invade. THAT'S when I walk away for a while. :)

What matters right now is that I'm exactly where God has me, and for whatever reason, it's right. Thank you for reminding me of that. :)

Unknown said...

love your site, great job. I just started a blog at imamts.blogspot.com (i am a mother that sleeps) it's about raising baby/children.