You know that girl who broke up with you in high school because she “prayed about it” and “God” told her to? I wrote bad things about her on the bathroom wall.
I don’t hear God speak to me audibly. But I hear people who say the kind of crazy stuff I think God would say. Like “I think you need to stop blogging for a while.”
I met with a friend/counselor/mentor of mine this morning. I just showed up at her job to say “Hey, how’ve you been? I’ve missed you.” And she didn’t let me off so easy.
A couple hours later I was vomiting up all kinds of stuff I’m praying about, thinking about, worried about, excited about, beating myself up about. And she closed her eyes for a second, as if on the other line with the Big Man himself, and then, confidently told me I should stop blogging for a while.
I never mentioned this here blog to her. It has nothing to do with anything we talked about. So, ordinarily I’d think this bit of random advise was an adverse side effect of her menopause and ignore her. But, the weird thing is, yesterday, while I was in the shower thinking and praying through some of this same stuff, I had the same out of left field idea: Maybe I should take a break from blogging.
So, I don’t know exactly why, but somehow spending time and words and brain space on this blog every day, a few times a day, is something I’m gonna stop doing for a little while – let’s say until 2008 – just in case there’s something bigger than hot flashes and early morning drowsiness behind all this. And then we’ll see what happens after that.
About a thousand people come here every day though and now they won’t have anything to read. My suggestion? Check out my favorite blogs instead: Brian, Kat, Brant, Brody and Seth Godin.
And, this friend suggested I ask you to pray for me. Not because there’s some big dramatic mess I’m off working through – because there isn’t – but because we all need to feel needed sometimes. And I need you. I need you to pray for a quiet mind, confidence, renewed creativity, that I pray and learn and grow and relax and have fun, that I father and husband and friend well, that I am at peace – completely whole – and that God speaks and I hear Him clearly and that I can stay away from this blog and a few other commitments without feeling like someone’s world is going to cave in because I’m not there holding it together.
anne jackson says:
i’m adding you to my little prayer composition notebook thingy. i have committed to wake up a little earlier than normal for the rest of the year to focus that time on prayer (did you know the average protestant minister spends less than 1/2 hour in prayer daily? this little book by em bounds will wreck you, i promise! http://www.applecreek.sdaglobal.org/remnant/Librarypdf/Ancient-works/Preach-Prayer.PDF )
anyway…all that to say…the same time you are breaking from this…i am praying for you nice how all that works out. yep.
RC of strangeculture says:
Interesting…enjoy the break. I’ll pray for you right now.
Nancy Tyler says:
Wise counselor, you have. A quality blog like this is hard to sustain. I hadn’t been able to figure out how you could keep churning out content a few times a day for it AND work on a book AND a new record and oh yeah, family, touring, Compassion, on and on. You mean you’re NOT Superman? I’m going to have to totally rethink you now. LOL
I imagine it’ll take some getting used to, but I’m glad you’ll have more time to focus on the big projects and not on blog authority and links and thrice daily content.
Your break could be good for others too. If somebody’s life is going to cave in because you’re not creating new blog entries, they may not have much of a life. Blogs and bloggers and online communities can take on an almost addictive, out of proportion importance sometimes, as an escape or as a substitute for in-person, local relationships with neighbors and coworkers and fellowship with people at church.
Continuing to pray for you daily, and to have your back always.
Happy Birthday.
Merry Christmas.
Happy New Year.
See ya online next year when you’re ready and in whatever way God ‘tells you’ to.
Pam says:
Praying. Enjoy your break.
Thomas says:
Praying for you and your family Shaun. Enjoy your break.
Thomas
Tamara Cosby says:
Praying for you and your family! The break will be good for you…it might even inspire others to take the same break…such as me
Josh says:
I enjoy your blogs Shaun. Be praying for you!
Josh
Mark says:
Enjoy your time away from the blog. Breath deeply. Spend more time with your kids. Hug your wife. Enjoy life.
We are praying for you.
Cynthia says:
I so appreciate your words everday. They challenge me! Have a great time with your family and friends and we’ll be praying for you!
RevJeff says:
Blah Blah Blah Shaun… IT’s all about Shaun…. PRAY FOR SHAUN…..
WHAT ABOUT ME?!?!?!? How am I supposed to waste my time if your not here to obsess about?
WHATEVER –
Catman says:
Shaun, been lurking for a while and enjoy your blog. Will miss you while you are on hiatus but understand that it may be needed, and I will pray for you.
Funny story before you go on “break”. My wife and I were discussing your blog, and she asked me if we had any of your music. I wasn’t sure, so I went to look in my CD cabinet and found a CD of yours that had been sent to me by a Christian radio station. And the CD was autographed!!
Maybe now that you are on break and we won’t be able to read your comments we will spend some time listening to your music (and wondering if our autographed copy is going to be worth something someday!!).
God bless
Ginger says:
Enjoy your break. I’ll be looking forward to your return.
Paul Clifford says:
I think (after doing Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God” a few years ago) that God speaks through prayer, circumstances, other Christians, and the Bible. It sounds to me like you heard from two unrelated of the above (another Christian and prayer).
I’ll miss your blogging.
Paul
Cali Amy says:
While I will miss the blog, I’m not all surprised to find you on a break, and kind of wondered when it would happen!
I hope you enjoy the rest and refocus and if you come back, I’ll enjoy seeing you then!
Donna N says:
O.k., we’re going to hold you accountable! We’ll check back every day just to make sure you’re being faithful to NOT blog and every time we shlog.com, we’ll be praying for you!
Blessings!
portorikan says:
prayed for you right now as well. Enjoy your break.
Grovesfan says:
This is a well deserved, and well-timed break! Although I will miss reading what’s on your mind each day, I am glad you are heeding this opportunity to take a break. Enjoy your family, the holidays and the rest!
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, and Happy New Year too! See ya in ‘08.
Beth
Katherine says:
Has your mentor been chatting with Osenga, too?
Enjoy your break. More than deserved.
cool dad says:
You’ve definitely served your due on this blog. Enjoy focusing on what God has for you now and we’ll be praying for you. Google Reader will call me back when you return.
annie says:
Merry Christmas.
God Bless you and your family.
Kofo @ STREETBRAND says:
I cannot believe I have only just discovered your blog just as you’re taking a break. Your blog is so engaging; will check back again sometime.
aaron says:
with much vigor i applaud you. It’s not easy to “kill” what you’ve worked so hard to “build”. May you die during this time (not literally) so Christ will rip out from within! Thanks!
Susanne says:
I’ve been convicted of the same thing. My kids are growing up too fast for me to spend so much time in front of the computer screen. But I do so enjoy your posts! Keep up the good work for Compassion International. What a great organization. I’ve been truly blessed by sponsoring a child, and you and Brant H. were the ones who pointed me in that direction. Thanks for that. I’ll be praying for you, and I’ll read your blog when you are able to post!
Bill says:
Wait for Him.
Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.” (NKJV)
Jerry DePoy Jr. says:
God told me to tell you to come to Muskegon, Michigan.
Hahah! Just kidding!
(kind of.)
Anon says:
I gotta laugh! I was online on December 5th and just out of left field realized that I was just wasting time. So, I ended up taking a short hiatus from chatting and blogging. This is my first day really being back online. I must admit, I freaked a little bit earlier because my link to your site wasn’t working, so I decided to go to your main site and link from there. I see that it’s just shlog.com anymore. Anyway, good luck on your endeavor! I hope that I’ll get to see some more blogging come 2008 though. Merry Christmas!
Wess says:
What? I just now, finally found my way to your blog and the first thing I see is that you are calling it quits for a while? Whazzupwitdat?
Actually, my friend, I will be praying for you and I trust the time off will be exactly what God intends for you.
Have a Merry Christmas with your family and know that you are loved, respected and will be missed. (for a while)
mamasboy says:
Has anyone ever told you that your god sucks…
… to people who don’t actually know you. I hope you’re enjoying your time off, and don’t read this for a long time.
Navision says:
You a right – its stupid to think that God speaking with you.