Give Me a Break!

I was emotionally exhausted, and knew I had to make a change. Time flew by, and I had little to show for it. Depression and thoughts about the limitations of my physical body (my nemesis) started to creep in. I was frazzled and easily offended. Hiding these emotions pushed me deeper into to social media, where I compared my feelings to the filtered lives of others. Yep, I’ll admit it. I was a mess. It was a struggle to find time to finish things that I needed to get done.

I looked at how I was spending my time, and found the culprit in plain sight.

I made a decision to take social media ‘vacation’ for the month of January. I knew I had been squandering too many hours each day with mindless scrolling. Yes, I missed a few birthdays—which I am sad about. I also missed, I am sure, lots of cat pictures/videos, gossip, and the like. I didn’t see the delicious food my ‘friends’ ate for lunch and fun places they went. But, overall, the FOMO was nonexistent after the first few days.

Repurposing this newly gifted time to focus on prayer and God’s Word brought clarity to my daily schedule. I spent time in my prayer closet and in my Bible. I drafted a book in 3 weeks! Whew! My days seemed to expand as I enjoyed more time in my sewing room designing and playing with fabric. Comment below or email me if you want to see what I’ve been making. My creativity is blossoming!

Yes, I will go back to Facebook—I may even learn how to use Instagram—or not, time will tell.) I’m not in a hurry. When I do, the time spent on it will be minimal and positive.

Is there something gobbling up your time and emotional well-being? For me, it was social media. It is different for everyone. It could be clutter, toxic friendships, overcommitment (even at church—yikes, I’m sure I’ll hear from someone about that). Even time spent doing ‘good’ can take a toll on your spirit. It is true.

My prayer is that whoever reads this feels freedom and clarity. If there is something to release, that it be done gracefully. If clutter is your stressor, check out my older posts on the topic.

Final note: When you release your time gobbler, be sure to replace it with prayer, Bible reading, and good and positive things—maybe even rest!

Above all, REJOICE.

Psalm 33

In love,

Tammy

P.S. If you’d like to join me in a 12-week study, check out From Pain to Purpose https://a.co/d/8pFK5Nr

Discouraged?

Have you let something small stop you from doing something BIG?

I haven’t blogged much, even though it brings me joy to share random thoughts here. I especially love the feedback and personal emails/communication I receive. Except . . .

*sound of screeching brakes*

Wait a minute! Why did I stop doing something that I love? You ask a good question.

Ahem. Let’s continue.

Except . . . I got discouraged. I was on a roll, writing and posting on a regular basis. I wrote a post about something that was on my heart. A friend sent me a text about it. I began a downward spiral of negative self-talk. I realize now, my feelings had nothing to do with the text, itself. Rather, my own insecurities had rushed to the surface unexpectedly. I cried. I began doubting myself, and questioning if I should bother putting my thoughts in a blog for the web browsing world, or worse, those that know me, to see. Especially if my words caused others to hurt, even unintentionally. I was facing emotional writer’s block. Read John 10:10. This internal attack was not of God. Sadly, I stopped writing anything personal. I questioned my heart and ceased journaling.

Looking back, I see how the enemy was at work here. I like to think about how a little pebble in your shoe is tolerable until a blister forms. That is what happened to me. I retained an itty-bitty seed of self-doubt, and when it turned into a blister, I threw away a good pair of shoes instead of removing the pebble and tending to the wound! Looking back, it's clear. Time in my prayer closet helped. I began journaling again. And, here I am, once again putting my thoughts out there.

I write these words to encourage you today. If you are facing doubt about what God has called you to do, please don’t give up. If you have, like me, let discouragement slow (or stop) your walk, it’s time to tend to your feelings in prayer, then begin once more.

In love,

Tammy

P.S. If you’d like to join me in a 12 week study, check out From Pain to Purpose. (Link Below) Amazon has it on sale now.

https://a.co/d/bY34y5s

Mean What You Post/Post What You Mean

To those that know me personally, I am ok!

Warning, this post may be triggering to some.

I feel led to call something out this morning.

It seems that when news of a celebrity committing suicide or struggling with addiction hits the airwaves, social media goes nuts. What is it about those that are rich and famous that fascinates the rest of us? Somehow, we feel a sympathetic connection to glamorous people we don’t even know, and who probably wouldn’t give an ounce of care about us.

Newsflash: We have lovely people all around us that are fighting the same battles. Look past your screens! Stop the scroll, and set down your phone for a few minutes. Please, look at the living and breathing people in your vicinity (and across the dinner table from you) instead.

When something traumatic happens to a celebrity, newsfeeds go abuzz with people posting emotional things like: “I am here for you if you are struggling,” “you can call me anytime,” and “my door is open if anyone needs to talk.” Or, my least favorite - the ultimate copy and paste (and overused) post with “sit on my sofa, the coffee is always on. Blah blah, blah.”

Can I call this out and make a suggestion? Think about it. Check your motivation before posting anything like this on social media. Do you really mean it? If in doubt, don’t post something you can’t back up.

Don’t post something to make yourself feel or look like a morally good or pious person. Don’t lie to yourself and others.

And, if you do decide to post something like this, be prepared to back it up with your whole heart. Be prepared for that friend to call you. They might. And you might let them down, if your heart is not in the right place. If someone shares a struggle with you because they believe what you posted, and you ghost them because you can’t handle what they’ve shared, how did you help them?

Let’s be real here. Think about it.

Just writing what I see.

Love Y’all,

Tammy

Message me, or comment if you need prayer.