Sunday, August 23, 2009

seeing the good

Lately I have wondered if I should stop writing, stop blogging for a while. I am not unhappy or depressed, but there just seems to be a lot of sadness rolling around that I am constantly having to fight off. Seeing the good has been a little more difficult. A wife that travels, kids leaving for college, struggling with decisions that adult children are making. Being a pastor has it's own challenges, but when you add all that personal stuff, it is very easy to feel crummy.

Nothing is wrong. All this stuff is normal. In times like this, you just have to hunker down and remember who you are. I am a child of God. I am his son. Everything is ok. If there was ever a time for the message of a blog like this, I guess this is the time.

If you are discouraged, don't lose heart. Circumstances change, but God does not. All is well. Look and see him. He is there.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jeff, for selfish reasons, we hope you won't quite writing your blog. It is a blessing to those of us who follow it regularly.

Your feelings of sadness are a tough load. When people raising families are in the "Full House" mode for more than twenty years, the silence can be deafening when the kids are gone. Sometimes it seems like life's purpose is gone when we get our families raised.

What will help? Increasing your circle of friends who enjoy laughter and fun fellowship. Enrol in a fitness and exercise program. And, as my mother always said, there is magic in going out and finding someone to help, who is worse off than you. God will see you through this.

Unknown said...

Jeff, I second the first comment above! We have had a lot going on this summer. We pulled in for a while after a loss of a job and trying to find some direction. The one thing we have NOT "pulled in on" is Your Blog! You have kept us connected!
You have gone through some incredible life transitions this year... kids coming and going, your ever constant wonderful works with the church... It is ok to pull in if you feel moved to do so... However, I will share with you, that in our "pulling in" we have find ourselves evenmore challenged at times getting back on track!
Gods Love and Ours!
Dana and Judy

Anonymous said...

Jeff- I too hope you keep blogging! I know we don't always comment or tell you how much we appreciate the way you share your feelings. I used to do some journaling and it can be exhausting. Whatever you decide, know that your blog has been a gift. You bring God's world together with the real world (you know-the DMV, the softball field). All I can say is how much your blog has meant to me! Inkylynne

Anonymous said...

I remember how you feel. It was really hard for me when the "baby" went to college. For two weeks, hearing a song on the radio on the way to work, would have me in tears. Keep busy, consider re-inventing yourself and your identity, go out with friends every night when you are alone for the first few weeks. Most of all, please don't stop blogging. We need you! I look forward to reading your blog and hearing your encouragement every day. Stay strong.

Unknown said...

Jeff,
One of the things I like most about you is your willingness to share your heart. I have learned much from you and not all of it has been lined with silver.

To blog or not to blog? I don't have the answer for that. I do hope and pray you continue sharing your heart (in whatever ways make sense for you).

Lori G. said...

The house never seems so quiet as when they leave to go off to college. We're going through it again (for the fourth year), and I guess it gets easier each time, but it's still really sad at first. Like others have said, keep yourself busy, and try to remember what brings you joy. Maybe it's time for a ride on a bicycle again? I admire you for still writing, even when you don't much feel like it. That's a true writer!

Ann and Lee said...

Jeff,
The way you share your thoughts and feelings (good, bad, sad,etc.)is a blessing to so many of us. If you choose to stop we will all miss it, but we will also accept it and understand. Just know that sometimes we get as much if not more out of your writings when you are down. You don't always have to show a happy upbeat side. No one is happy all the time.
You have many congregants who have come from other denominations. I was raised in the Catholic church and schools, my husband Church of Christ. We LOVE that you are human like the rest of us. Neither of us has ever had a pastor or priest that we could ever relate to because they were so "perfect". It is comforting to know that you feel the same things the rest of us do. You speak to us and to our hearts, not preach AT us. You are a rare and special man and we truly appreciate you and thank you for sharing the good and the bad with us. We will take it all. I have no advice to give, just our thanks and our prayers.