January 7, 2011
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Clinging to the Rock...Never let yourself be driven by the ridiculous expectations of people who have no idea of what it's like to live and walk in your shoes. Cling to what you know is the truth and seek guidance in the Word of truth. Fortunately, there are also amazing books and blogs that have been written by people who've obviously been blessed with understanding the knowledge they acquired. I recently posted a little blip that was inspirational to me; something from the book Captivating and it was completely destroyed by a friend who not only hadn't read the book, but also made a disgusting remark. The frustration I felt after that was all consuming but not for long. I simply had to let it go, although I'm not the exactly the queen of letting go! I did question myself for awhile, wondering where my place in this blog world is. Photography? There are so many photographers who are FAR better than I. Creative Writing? Ahahahaha, gimme a minute to compose myself. Biblical scholar? Yikes, I am definately not qualified, though I DID go to Bible college and read the whole Bible a couple of times and went to numerous studies and a few retreats and oh YEAH, my dad was a pastor and missionary. Nope, not good enough. Parenting expert? Hah! Nope, not that one either, though my kids have, so far, "turned out" well. (According to whose standards??) Marriage expert, advisor? It's been 30+ years, after all. Nahhh, I'd better not go there. Movie critic? I'd be good at ripping apart almost everything, which nobody would want to read. Hmmm, "nobody would want to read"....is THAT what this is about? Who is this for, anyway? Why did I get on in the first place? Lonliness? Boredom? Desire to expand my world? Who told me about this place? Who was the first person I "read"? Ah, yes. SHE was the major inspiration to me. Her photos, her words, funny and cleverly written, her love for the Lord, her growing family was/is interesting to read about...I was HOOKED. I wanted to BE her (with fewer kids) and live where she lives. I wanted to NOT be me anymore because I and my life looked oh, so mundane. I tried to spice things up but because I am not beautiful, nor intelligent, nor well equipped with, well, whatever you need to create this fabulous life to blog about, I am going to just be me. A photo here and there, a few words here and there....pretty much keeping quiet here and there. "In Person" life is calling my name; Gail, get that china cabinet emptied out and painted. Gail, get out and take more interesting photos! Gail, cook dinner! Gail, go spend time with some of your friends! Gail, go for a walk. Go take a class at the Comm. college. Sell all the waiting -to -sell stuff on E-bay. Have a tea party with the grandgirls. Get the sewing machine fixed and learn how to sew, for reals! Live for this day and hope for tomorrow that you will find your purpose and believe that because of Christ, you are very much adored.
Comments (18)
Well....let me just say Lady....You are beatiful! AND, who said you aren't intelligent?!?!? I'm thinking you are! AND, you take lovely photos....AND, you always have something encouraging to say! When we start comparing ourselves, then we get discouraged. You have such a nice little life that I happen to like reading about! You always have nice things to say about everyone, and always leave the sweetest comments!
You said you can't create this fabulous life to blog about...Your life IS fabulous! Your family thinks your fabulous!!! You said, you're just going to be yourself! Well, those are the BEST blogs because they are REAL!!!! And you are real, and honest, and that's why I like you. =)
And about letting go...I'm not the queen of letting go either, I'm more like the queen of haning on and festering...I need to work on this. =/
Hope you have a good weekend!
And heres a {{Hug}} for you! and another =) and another {{Hug}}!!!
"Never let yourself be driven by the ridiculous expectations of people who have no idea of what it's like to live and walk in your shoes" ~~ you'll be seeing this again in other places. Perfect!!!
You're wonderful, Gail -- believe in yourself! Do keep blogging, and posting those wonderful photos you take
! (I love the mussel shot in this post.)
Gail, how I love you friend!! your honesty and realness and vulnerbility. and in my opinion we need more blogger's like you!!! because you are such a encourager and gifted in the art of making others feel special and loved. so many are blogging only for what they can get out of it for themselves - - it's not at all about relationship or uplifting or being HIS light!! so even if you choose to blog just a "little" it'll still be BIG for those of us who read you, because the things you have to say are always dead on!! and i so appreciate your heart!
remember too that what you see on other blogs isn't the complete picture. not that people are being phony, only.. it's so easy for anyone to make it sound like they have a fairytale life, when we all know, there's no such thing.
keep keeping on. and being you. and blogging!!
we all love ya here.
... and i'm not good at letting things go either! had a nasty message from someone on xanga just yesterday and it really shook me. i don't get why some people feel the need to let you know why they don't like you!! ha ha. just move on and stop reading my blog if you think it's that bad.
also. thanks so much for the christmas card. beautiful family you are!!
I think your place in the blog world is being you! And that's more than fine by me! Love ya Gail! ~Dawne
GAIL!! I so agree with all that Liz and Amber said...we are blessed with YOU! Did you see the new Narnia movie?? Lucy wants to be more like her sister and is shown a glimpse of life if she was never born. No Lucy? No Gail? God made you to be the unique, wonderful, beautiful woman that you are. We are at that point in life for thinking about what all we want to be (when we grow up ;-D) and what all we want to DO, now that our important big job is about done. Of course the grands get to be a total blast!! You have a leg up on me there!
Love you bunches, lots of hugs. Glad you blog, that is how we met!!
Oh,BTW, I liked Captivating. I did not read all of it, but it helped me to see more of God's intent in creating woman! I also felt more beautiful, seeing the beauty in God's intent. Also see so much use in ministering to those who have suffered abuse.
Very nice blog Gail, very open and frank. Each one of us blogs for our own reason. Your blog is a delight and gives me pleasure, I would miss you if you quit.
WELL, all the thoughts going through my head were said so well by the ladies above. Instead I'll just give you a big ((((HUG))) and remind you that you are God's beloved daughter, the daughter of the King! And the best reason to blog is to save memories from YOUR life.
Hey, I need to jump on the band wagon here and say I think you are beautiful, intelligent, creative, loving, honest and an absolutely wonderful photographer. I know there are a lot of photographers out there but let me tell you, you definitely hold your own. Your pictures are gorgeous, I love when you post them. Please continue to blog, you can see the friend who made the disgusting remark is in the minority !
very beautiful, powerful words.
i am going to go look for that book.great work.
the queen of letting go? is there such a thing!
if there was an amen corner for the comments above, you'd be hearing loud amens from me!!! you have shared so much encouragement and exhortation through your posts, messages and my word! even a treat in the mail. so if you're wondering about His purpose? ha.
glad that you are you. glad that you are here! love ya lots!
I saw your post here on the front page of xanga this afternoon as I signed in ~ so glad I clicked over to read. A wonderful word and message God has given you here to be who He has called us to be and thrive in that alone. The body of Christ is an amazing thing. I love how each little part is needed and offers something the other parts can't. It's all the parts working together and doing what God created them to do that honor and bless the Lord. You are apart of that and I praise Him for you and the encouraging words you have always left for me from time to time. You are a cheerleader to those around you and that is an awesome gifting. thank you.
Blessings on your weekend there. ~ I'm quite positive none of us let go so easily ~ I am slowly learning to ask for the Holy Spirit (our Helper!) to give me the help needed in my life to do just that though. Somedays are victory, others defeat! But God is after our hearts and if He has put the desire within you to want to let go than He will give you the desires of you heart.
love to youAlyssa
Oh, Gail -- so sorry people have to make nasty comments on the blogs of others -- it was definitely not deserved in your case. When that happens to me, I tend to internalize what was said -- to counter that, I then analyze it to see if I misunderstood, or if the comment was just badly worded to make it seem nasty. If it is still offensive, I delete it and back off from their site for a while -- if it happens again I might then block the commenter. That doesn't delete the hurt, of course, but it helps to build that shield that we sometimes need. Your posts are always SO positive and reflect your beautiful personality -- keep being you, and please keep blogging. Love you (((((hugs))))) Janet
I Love this. It was so inspirational. xD "GrandGirls" So original and lovely.
"Never let yourself be driven by the ridiculous expectations of people who have no idea of what it's like to live and walk in your shoes"...yeah, I'm totally stealing that, lol. It's going straight to my desktop.
I haven't been a LONG time reader...but I keep checking in on your blog because what I have read is so good! It so encouraging and refreshing to read words that are written from the heart. I love your honesty and your heart for being a light to those around you! blessings~~
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