They say that there are hundreds of earthquakes every day but that we can’t feel most of them because they are too small, they are too far under the surface or we are busy going about our lives doing things that prevent us from feeling minor changes in the earth’s surface.
But the ground is always moving.
And sometimes it moves and it moves hard and rough and we all feel it. We brace ourselves, grab a doorjamb, hold our kids and pray it’s a small one.
Life is changing for me right now and it isn’t imperceptible. It is very evident and distinct and I have found myself bracing myself in the corner of the room trying to ride out the transition.
Details unimportant, a few months ago I began working for a non-profit (click here to see who) helping in some of their marketing and event coordination. Even though it’s only a part time job, it’s an important and big job and all of a sudden all of my free time has been taken up. I will be working closely with this event and this event and I’m very excited.
{As if writing and blogging and speaking on occasion weren’t a part time/ full time job on their own.}
This is real, difficult life-movement for me and I’m just trying to figure it all out.
And as life moves, I have to make some difficult decisions about our life as a family. We’ve begun to be very selective about how we spend our free time. In essence, we are making sure that we carve out enough time for our family to just “be” and for our kids to have us to themselves unencumbered. I’m being more selective about accepting engagements that take me (or us) out of town. And I’m trying to figure out gracious ways to continue to write and do this thing that I love but still maintain personal boundaries while doing so.
Very little of this affects you (as my lovely blog readers) as I will still be blogging 3-4 times a week and I haven’t stopped writing for my favorite people and places. But there are a few things that will and have already changed.
- I won’t be able to accept many books or products to review. The books and products that I do review are ones that I have happened upon in an organic way or they have something to do with some idea that is close to my heart.
- I very rarely write guest posts for others. Not because I don’t love you but because in all honesty, I barely have time to keep up with the regular writing commitments to which I have already agreed.
- I’m dreadfully terrible about returning emails and I still have many in the queue that I haven’t gotten to. I will be doing my best to return all the old emails, but I want to be upfront about the fact that this is an area that is difficult for me to stay up on. Please continue to email me {I love reading your stories} but be gracious with me as I work through returning them.
- If you or your church would like to book me for a speaking event, you can email booking@sarahmarkley.com. I’ve updated my speaking page with more information, but my summer and fall are pretty busy already with just a few engagements but mostly with home and family things. Because of those and the holiday season, I’m booking out into January 2013 and February 2013 right now. All of the information you would need to know about that is located here.
I hope you all understand and know that I am really doing my best with my husband and my family and with the responsibilities that God has placed in my path, even if it is moving ground.
What kind of boundaries do you place on your personal time? With your family? Who helps you stay grounded with balancing things like this?
Know all about that moving ground stuff around here – we’ve had nearly 2 years of the real earthquake variety – and I can tell you it gets very uncomfortable, and tiring and stressful. The metaphorical earthquake also can get very tiring, uncomfortable and stressful too.
In both situations, I’ve learned to:
1. While the ground is shaking, Take cover and Hold on tight.
2. Focus on what’s important. Look after yourself, your family and neighbours.
3. Expect aftershocks. (And there will probably be metaphorical aftershocks too.)
love this!! thank you!
God bless you Sarah! If this is a direction God is moving you toward right now (and I can see your head nodding affirmatively) He will orchestrate things toward His purposes, which will ALWAYS include your husband and children!!
As a “fairly” new person on your site, I must say I am VERY excited for you. Continue to GO FOR IT. Our campuses desperately need Jesus.
Yes they do Suzanne! And thank you for the encouragement!
I’m so proud of you, Sarah!!!!! It takes TONS of bravery to set boundaries and make these difficult decisions! I believe and expect God to bless your life even more because of staying true to your convictions and listening to your heart! YAY, YOU!!!!!
Thank you so much Janet!! =)