Time To Fade

Well.  This is a rather difficult post to write so I've put it off.  I couldn't decide whether to ramble on and prepare you or be *dramatic*!  I prefer the use of humor, but can't quite work it in here.  OK, now I see that I went with *dramatic* because this sounds MUCH more serious than it really is!  Nothing is wrong people!!  :)  <--- See?  Smiley face tells you it's all good.

Out with it, I guess, is the best way.  I've decided to quit blogging (and why is it that I feel the need to write this in the form of a resignation letter?).  Quitting is not something that I've been really considering for a long time and I don't have anything really preventing me from blogging.  In fact, I was getting ready to start offering advertising on my blog.  And I was considering attending a fabulous Christian women's blogging conference (Relevant) next year.  I was praying about whether or not I should attend that conference and whether or not to use the advertising dollars for that or something else.

I recently said on Facebook that sometimes when you ask God to help you decide between A or B, He answers C.  And that's what happened.  After praying about it, I started feeling like I shouldn't be blogging at all.  I discussed my thoughts with my hubs and he is supportive of whatever I decide, but didn't think it would be a bad thing to quit as long as I still have a hobby to enjoy (blogging has been a hobby for me).

Now I'm not saying that blogging is a bad thing!  I've been blogging since April 2008!  It's great and I have been very blessed through it with making friends, learning new skills, finding answers to questions, and so much more.  But blogging distracts me too much from my duties at home.  And let me tell you - I can get distracted better than anybody!  Of course, I can be distracted without a blog, but the blogging seems to be worse for me.  I have a stumbling block - to be noticed and praised by Man.  Blogging leads me to those thoughts and desires more often than I would like.  The only notice and praise I need is from our Heavenly Father.  I really don't think He'll say:  "You know, your family couldn't find any clean underwear in that laundry pile and those dishes have been there for a while, but that was a great post you wrote about chocolate today."  We all have our days and our moments like that with or without blogging, but I feel that blogging is a big contributor to my neglect of my family and household.

Just writing blog posts would be one thing, but there is so much more that goes along with it.  There are comments to check and respond to, stats to look at, parties to link to, pictures to load, blogs to visit, not to mention Twitter and Facebook.  I can hear you saying - just skip all the other stuff, but it's too intertwined for me now!  I can't separate it all - can't do one without the others.  So it's time to step out of the blogosphere and back into real life.

I always wanted to shine through blogging, but what I am called to do is fade into the background and become the wife, mother, child of God, friend, and Imperfect Homemaker I was meant to be.  It's in the fading that I hope I will shine with the glory of the Lord.

So you got *dramatic* and rambling all at the same time - I aim to please!  :)  There will be one last Farewell CHOCOLATE Friday this Friday so I hope you'll stop by and link up a post and/or leave a comment!  My blogs will remain up so everybody can get the recipes whenever they need them, but I just won't be posting anymore.

Love & hugs to you all!!