Blah, Blah, Blah...

Okay, I think I've figured out why I don't blog more often. It's not because I don't have anything to say. It's because I have TOO much to say, and much of it should only be shared in dialogue between my heavenly Daddy and me. (Although, sometimes I wonder if that 'dialogue' is more often a 'monologue' where HE does most of the listening.) Unfortunately, all too often I choose to share-just because I can-and the result of that can then leave me feeling crummy. It kind of goes like this-"Why did I EVER say something like that?" Or maybe-"Why did I EVER say it in THAT way; with THAT choice of words; in THAT tone of voice?!" Etc, etc,-- Do you get my meaning? (I don't blame you if you don't.) Often the problem seems to be that I know what I mean, but when my thoughts come out of my mouth as actual words, my grasp of the English language suddenly goes AWOL.

Not only that, but another problem (ouch!) is that sometimes (okay, a lot!) I just like to talk. When someone is sharing, then I have to share as well. I tend to get pretty passionate in my 'sharing', and that can definitely come across as 'self-centered' and 'personal agenda going on'. I am intentionally biting my tongue a whole lot more. (I'm sure my dear friends who might be reading this could be saying, "You are?! I didn't notice!") Believe it or not, I HAVE gotten better! I truly desire to be the best possible listener that I can be. I desire to season my words with grace, mercy, and love; and to always know that the main ingredient is truth (Colossians 4:6). I desire to say only what will build up others (1 Thessalonians 5:11), even when 'others' need to be chastised. While that is absolutely necessary-chastisement, accountability, etc., (all of those uncomfortable wordsJ), it must be done with great discernment and appropriateness. Throughout the years, one of my oft-repeated prayers has been, "Lord, PLEASE help them to separate the wheat from the chaff of what I just said." And I am MOST sincere about that.

So, here is another blog from me-hopefully without any unnecessary offenses-that needs to come to a close. And that reminds me of another reason why I don't blog too often. I always start out with such an intentional line of thought, and somewhere along the road that leads toward 'Blogdom', my internal GPS gets a little loopy, and I end up feeling as though I am aimlessly wandering through a city of streets that doesn't make any sense at all-kind of like Pittsburgh. I just don't want my random ramblings to become a 'roadblock' for anyone who chooses to ride along with me! Oh, how often I have prayed Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." To paraphrase ala Libby, "When necessary, KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT!"

I do love to share, and I do love to listen! I love to hear people's stories. I just love to spend time with people. Thanks for spending your time with me!

Thanks for reading,

Libby