I’m reviewing…everything I do online.
It’s something I do regularly, more than once a year but I do seem to take it more seriously at the end of the year.
Why do I blog? Why do I tweet and have a Facebook? Why do I have AussieHomeschool? Why do I have AH Twitter, FB and the blog? What fruit do they bear?
What is the aim of these things? Is this the best use of my time?
Truthfully, I don’t know the answers to the question- what fruit do they bear? I know why I do what I do but is it worth it? I know what my aim is…but am I too busy with fingers in too many pies?
It’s right and good that I reassess these things. I have 2 daughters. One is 18, a homeschool graduate and pursuing her interests to the glory of God. My 16yodd has finished school and is a first year apprentice chef. The girls alone keep me fairly busy but add two boys to the mix and I really need to use my time wisely. My 14yods is homeschooling high school (Yr 9/10) in 2010 and is an Air Force Cadet who spends most of his free time training. My 12yods will be homeschooling Yr 7/8 and we’ll be looking to expose him to a few different experiences next year…to ascertain his interests, delights and God given strengths.
I spent nearly 9 months of this year trying to get Fit n 40. It was truly a journey of spurts and spills…and I just started to get somewhere along the road of progress when…I resumed softball. Coaching is great – I love it! I also love playing again, albeit that my mind is more willing than my flesh. However, I either went back to playing too early or I shouldn’t have attempted it at all as I have re-injured my knee. Now, even pottering around the house is incredibly painful and draining. Yes, I do plan to have it looked at…as soon as I get a spare day to go to the doctor.
Next year I want to do more, to give more of myself to the boys and their lessons and to my husband and our marriage. Naturally I still want to be involved in the Australian homeschooling community but how? In what way will be the most productive…will bear fruit? What are my ‘big rocks’? What is the ‘sand‘? Of course I talk to my husband about it…although he trusts me…trusts that I will do what is right. He doesn’t dictate my activities to me, although sometimes I wonder if that would be nice? (Nah, I actually love that about him- he trusts me, he respects me, he thinks I am capable!)
This is where my heart and my head have been over the last few weeks. I’ve been praying about it all, and asking God to reveal to me the things I do in ‘the flesh’ along with the superfluous activities and the things that bear fruit and are productive.
What process do you use to discern which activities are fruitful and which need pruning?
I often tend to over commit myself, usually I think I can manage everything and have to work back from there. My husband doesn’t dictate what I do either, and he is always willing to help out also with family and friends in need. He does however sometimes caution me that I am taking on too much, am getting over tired etc. I need that and need to learn to listen to it.
You do a great job with the Aussie Homeschool blog. Thanks so much for your efforts there. Much and all as everyone appreciates that your family committments have to come first. You will be supported whatever you choose to do next year.
Our children are with us for such a short time really and it is precious to use every day wisely. Hope you get it all figured. I am brain dead at present but have started to think about similar things for next year.
Hi Ruby,
Thanks for stopping by. Sorry I haven’t visited your place in awhile, I will get back there one day 😉 But I do keep up to date with you blog via RSS feeds.
I just pray daily that God will either bless my many activities – online or other – or show when it is timke to move on. This really has to be a daily thing for me, cos I like onlne stuff and like being busy!
Hi Leonie,
It sure does need to be daily…but also for me it needs to be periodical. I find I just keep adding more and more things to my day until I realise that I’m not keeping up with it all.
I know it but I need to really *know* that I can’t please all the people all the time, especially with online ventures.
Sweet Susan
Not many people are brave enough to examine their life like you do…I think that your sense of accountability to hubby, kids and God is enough reason and trust that HE will tell you…….
I was preaching with James yesterday (huh preaching together that is novel) and sharing with Barossa church about Manila……what I felt to say to my church may be pertinent to you, some of it at least….
Christians gotta think big dream big…..(I do not think you have issues in that area….look at your fruit -AHSite etc) God honours dreamers who submit to Him……
But we have got to endeavour to find His PERFECT will….that is where the power and anointing lie…..whether you be a missionary a homschooler or a business women or a child even
We look at say Missionaries or Pastors etc and we say “wow they are so amazing” they are doing something “special” for God…….we undermine ourselves really they are no diff to us AT ALL…..except that they are doing the WILL OF GOD in an outward showing way…..
That is what makes PEOPLE amazing (even if they are not Christians to be brutally honest) they have found there GROOVE, their call, their purpose and are living it out!!
Amazing people have power and anointing, they stick out, they lead and others follow…….I think you are one of those amazing people, (not trying to puff you up either) but people follow you when you lead!!
I guess when you feel that power and anointing begining to leave we MUST re-evaluate and find His PERFECT will…..I do not think it is elusive, it is a different direction, or the same direction from a diff angle….maybe
I just know that you will find an answer, deep thinker you……God is faithful when we ask brutal and honest questions….
BTW…..I think there is merit in having an “out” from things like FB or Twitter……they make me laugh, but I cannot waste too much time on them either BALANCE BALANCE……….
Love you lots
Your suntanned pal
Cath
OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH gotta tell you DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLL
I lost 8 kilos in Manila, I knew that sweating was good for something, I will shut my mouth when I feel the heat and sweat in silence HALLELUJAH….that was my hump to get over now I go down from here!!!
Hi Cathy,
You’re home! We *must* catch up some time in the New Year, okay? Y’know I looked at the photo’s of you on your blog and thought to myself that you looked heaps thinner but wow, 8 kgs??? 🙂
Yep, you’re right. I don’t have a problem with dreaming BIG. But…I do get so easily distracted- especially with online projects.
You just helped me nail something…the FB page and Twitter for Ah was set up to help drive people to know that AH existed…but for some people they use the AH Twitter and FB solely. So I’ve been trying to keep them up to date or duplicate much content from Ah to those sites, but that was not the original purpose. I need to concentrate on serving the needs of Aussie HSers via the website and not the fillers or extensions. Hmmm, I will chat to John more about this…thanks sweet friend.
I always enjoy your comments and your blog posts…I just don’t know how you manage to get so much rich content out in such short spaces of time! :evilgrin:
Hi- new here- but totally goin’ through the same things! I know when my kids are acting up more- I’ve been on the computer too much! It really helps to ask my hubbie for wisdom- he always helps me refocus. And, I feel God whispers the answer in my heart- sometimes not a whisper- like when my computer crashes!
Shalom-Evonne
Hello Evonne! Lovely to have you here. You must have found me via your blog as I visited you a few days ago. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!