How Do You Have Time For Blogging?

By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others. -Satsuki Shibuya

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? -Psalm 127:2 (MSG)

 

Earlier this summer, when I had decided to take a break from blogging, I found myself frustrated. I was complaining to my husband about how I wanted more time to blog.

I hated that my schedule seemed so bogged down. Between taking care of a toddler, running, errands, coaching, teaching, trying to keep a “clean” house, and keep my sanity, it just seemed like one more thing to add on my “to-do” list.

How could I find more time? I didn’t want blogging to become something that was obligatory, and it seemed like it was starting to go that way.

But rather, I wanted to keep it up as a hobby that I enjoyed. It wasn’t something that I wanted to squeeze in here and there just to “get it done” because that’s not what a hobby is about. Most hobbies are enjoyed in the spur of the moment, during free time or scheduled free time. The very definition of a hobby is a leisure (restful, vacation) activity.

I think it’s common when someone is doing something out of the ordinary, to hear someone ask, “How do you have time for… training to run a marathon, a two-hour painting class every week, dates with your spouse, reading, a Bible study, having family dinners every night, etc.?”

If something is important, you will make time for it. If your spouse is important, you will make time to spend with your spouse. If quality time with family is important, you will make the time to do it. If something isn’t important, you won’t make the time for it.

Our actions reveal the priorities we have in life.

And with this recognition, I knew that certain things in my schedule had to go.

It hasn’t been easy. And it’s not because I couldn’t actually free up things in my schedule, but it hasn’t been easy because I had to remind myself that it’s okay to make time for me.

Amber.

Blogging.

Sharing.

Reflecting.

Enjoying.

Learning.

& Growing.

Part of me knew that I could easily commit to another night of coaching, or I could take the time to prep for another day of ESL classes for the morning.

It would be simple for me to do that. I could easily get by with the excuse that I’m helping my family by bringing in some extra income, or I’m helping develop these life-long skills in all these great kids. Or I’m contributing to the team.

As a wife, a mom, and just a person that loves her two-part time jobs, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to constantly help, give, and contribute. But then I fall into the trap of doing too much, staying too busy, and not taking the much-needed time for myself and reflection time with God.

 

Blogging has given me time to rest and reflect because it’s a hobby I enjoy.

This hobby isn’t for everyone, and I understand that. And maybe there are people out there that don’t understand how I could enjoy writing or why this might be relaxing. But, it’s just the way God wired me.

Blogging has been an amazing gift because it’s really allowed me to reflect, pray, read, write, and spend time with God in a different way than any other aspect of my life. And it’s been a way to share Jesus and encourage others that isn’t possible with journaling or keeping a diary.

It’s allowed me to really think about how I am developing and sharing the love of God in what I’m doing on a daily basis in all aspects of my life- in my relationship with my husband, being a mother, a daughter, a teacher, a coach, a friend, a neighbor, a stranger, etc.

In the end, I haven’t made more time to blog, I’ve just made the time to blog. And I know that with this time, God will continue to do great things in and through me for his glory.