Out of focus

Things seem a little blurry right now. The events over the past week have left me unsettled and my focus seems to have gone right out the door. I have written several blog posts on paper, none of which have even actually made it to the blog. Everything I have written after thinking on it seems too personal. I struggle with finding the line of what to share and what not to share. Partly because I'm not sure of how much of my life I want to share and partly because it often involves other people. My intent in writing would never be to bring harm to anyone, so I always try to weigh my words carefully, especially when speaking about someone else. While I would never use names I still want to be very careful with my tongue. The Bible says the tongue is untamable and cautions us about how we use it:

James 3

New International Version (NIV)

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

But where do we draw the line? How should we measure what is acceptable to put out in cyberspace and what is not? When should we put our feelings, opinions, or life events out there and when should we keep them to ourselves?  Or sometimes it's just a matter of allowing that little voice to tell me that no one wants to read about that. Or maybe sometimes God is nudging me to share something I feel is too personal but when in reality someone does need to hear it and I refuse?

So this is why I have been quiet, but you can be sure it won't last. As soon as I get a little clearer on what I want to post about the situation, or maybe the moment passes and I'll just decide to post on something else, you can be sure I'll be back with lots more to say. This may mean an hour from now, or this may mean a few weeks from now, one just can't be sure. But do know if God is working on me about this, together we will get it all worked out.

Dear Lord,
Thank you so much for your love. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for continuing to use me even when I stop to ask  you five million questions. Push me to continue to get out of a zone that I feel is comfortable. Push me to do your work without question. Help me to know your nudging in such a special way that there is no question. Lord we have grown so much together over the past few years, I almost can't bear to think about where we will be in a few more years. I cherish every moment I get to know you more.
In Jesus name
Amen