This morning, I spent some time thinking about what I wanted to blog about today. Having a schedule of posting only Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays should make it easy for me to come up with things to write about. Unfortunately, sometimes I just don't know what to say.

The house was quiet as I sat down to figure out what to blog about. The carpenter was off at church for the men's breakfast. Daniel and the dogs were both curled up and asleep. All that could be heard was the sound of the dryer turning semi-wet clothes.

*Pause...I need to go start the washer again!*

Ok, back at it.

As I'm perusing Facebook, trying to come up with post ideas, I stumble upon this video. Go ahead, watch it. I will wait. :)

Ok. Before you say, "Wait! There are plenty of good things that technology has to offer!" (i.e. being able to connect with people far away, being able to find old friends, etc.), let me just talk this out and share with you what I have been personally dealing with.

First off, I agree, there are so many good things about technology. Would I be writing a blog, on Facebook, part of Instagram, and pinning to Pinterest if I didn't agree? No. I love being able to keep up with people and see what is going on with those who don't live close to me. What I think this video is trying to tell us is to not neglect those who are physically near you. Don't trade in time with someone who is sitting in front of you, for time spent on an electronic device.

God has really been convicting me of this lately. Much of my day involves reading blogs, checking Facebook and Instagram, and watching a show or two with my husband after the baby is asleep. I have realized that I am loosing so much of my time with my son and my husband, to use some form of technology. Because of this I'm able to keep up on those who aren't near me, but instead am slowly becoming more and more out of touch with those who I can actually reach out and touch.

Does that make sense?

I'm not here to convict you. I'm just hear to share with you what the Lord is doing in me. Two of the books that I have been reading lately (read more on that here) have really been showing me that my focus is being shared lately. Elliot and Savage have both written about being present in people's lives. That if we are able to embrace the reality around us, our lives will be better for it. That we shouldn't share time between two things, because the reality is that neither is getting the full version of ourselves. I don't want my children, husband, family, or friends, knowing only the distracted Elizabeth. I would love them to know that they are the most important person in that moment and nothing can distract me from our time spent together.

With that being said, I'm off to spend the day with my boys. I'm challenging you to do the same! :)

This morning...

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I have been awake since five o'clock this morning. I was dead asleep until I heard that faint cry over the baby monitor. You know the one. The one that makes a mama's heart leap and sleep suddenly evades you. I love this moment. Even though I don't really want to escape from my nice, warm bed, I do so with ease. My little boy needs food and I'm not going to keep him waiting--I've waited all my life for this moment.

The early morning quiet is like nothing else. I think I may be a morning person--once I'm up that is. The beauty of a waking world is never lost on me. When we are in the middle of nowhere, at our cabin, the mornings are my favorite time. I wake to the sound of the lapping water as it gently tugs at the shore side. I listen to the birds sing and the gentle breeze rustle the pine trees. The coffee begins to percolate and everything starts to slowly move. The sun casts beautiful colors across the sky and all I want to do is sit, watch, and wait for the moment that it breaks the horizon.

I love these types of mornings. After he goes back to sleep, his tummy full to the brim, I am able to enjoy the quiet and stillness of the early day. My man is asleep, the dogs are still curled up, and the coffee just tastes and smells so good. I sit and read and absorb the goodness of life. I listen to an occasional car swish past on their way to work. But mostly, I submerge myself in the silence. Thank you Lord.