Shaun Groves
I’ve always looked like a giraffe ice skating when I do anything remotely athletic. But I was downright OK at soccer. Not very good compared to the other kids, but for a future singer I was exceptional at soccer.
I was torn my freshman year of high school. Should keep playing the sax in the band or try-out for the soccer team? There was no time for both.
“You’re not good at soccer,” my dad said. Like pulling off a band-aid.
I like to write this blog. It’s therapeutic. It’s turned many fans into something closer to friends. And the need to write each day helps me notice everything in life. And I’m downright OK at it.
I’m not very good compared to the other kids, but for a singer I’m sometimes exceptional at blogging.
But music pays the bills. And when there were no gigs on the calendar for May, very few in June, and almost nothing in July? I quit blogging.
To compile an ebook – spending hours learning new technologies. I wrote a curriculum for a songwriting class I could teach on-line. Bought a domain name and began recruiting contributors, developing, and finding advertisers for a new site I’m launching to provide income in the famines between feasts. And I moonlighted as a graphic designer some too.
Because I love blogging, but I love my family (and eating) more. And sometimes (very rarely) there’s no time for both.
Thanks for understanding. I knew you would.
And so will the people on your soccer team. What are you OK at that you need to quit (maybe temporarily) to be great elsewhere?
Amy Hunt says:
Shaun,
I love this message! I immediately thought:
Be. Deliberate.
Be. Disciplined.
=>EXCEL!
I’m not sure what this means for me. But I know God has me thinking.
Cheers!
Amy
Shaun Groves says:
You may have thought that because I needed to read it. Thanks, Amy.
Kristin says:
I feel like God is using various people and messages to get me thinking … about something. I’m not sure where it’s leading, but I get the feeling it’ll be worth it.
In high school, I had to choose between newspaper staff and calculus. I chose newspaper staff. I was thinking yesterday about how one decision that seems minor at the time leads us to where we make another decision and another and another. And eventually those decisions change our lives, even when we don’t expect them to. Choosing to live intentionally is certainly a decision that is worth honoring.
God’s always working, that’s for sure.
Amy says:
Blogging. And I do quit when I need to. Right now, totally for health reasons. Sometimes I call it a day after getting out of bed. Lol.
Shaun Groves says:
Praying for you now, Amy.
Melissa Jones says:
I’ve pretty much quit blogging. Life was too much fun (and was taking too much time) to sit down and write about it. At other times I’ve quit choir at church. Right now I’m not (regularly) on the (Sunday morning) praise team. And we recently quit our small group (which was a big deal since it met at our house).
When life gets overwhelming – even when the things I’m doing are “good” things – I quit something and don’t let myself feel guilty about it. My biggest priority right now is my own home and those inside it. Someday that won’t take up as much time and maybe then I’ll get back into some of the things I’ve quit. But that day is not today and I am content.
Shaun Groves says:
It’s the “don’t let myself feel guilty about it” part I don’t have down yet. Good for you.
Todd Agnew says:
Yeah, I did the opposite. I quit the cello to continue playing soccer. Maybe not the greatest move in hindsight. I could probably use those skills now.
And I’m wrestling with some of the same things. That was really brave of you to start something brand new. I fear walking away from what I know. Especially since I’m still effective in that world. But God moves us along. I was reading 1 John 2 the other day where it speaks to children, young men, and fathers. It’s funny because I always assumed it meant children, young men, and old men. Since I am obviously not an old man, that put me in the young man category, which I was ready and willing to accept. But that’s not what it said. It said children, young men, and FATHERS. I can’t really deny that I’m one of those. I have changed categories, which in 1 John means that my instructions have changed from being strong and winning the battle to passing on knowledge of the Father. That means my life has a different focus and direction now. And honestly, I’m still trying to figure out how to walk that out. And feed my family. Is it time to quit soccer or the cello? Or is it time to pick up something else altogether? Ping pong anyone?
Jenna B. says:
I love to blog. Sometimes what I love to do is replaced by what I need to do. Sometimes I can juggle both. Either way, I love reading your stuff, even if you’re taking a bit of a break.
Shaun Groves says:
THAT’S what I was trying to say. f course if I said it that concisely it would be a tweet and not a blog post…but it would also be clearer ; )
Thanks, Jenna.
Kris says:
I love this, Shaun. I am taking a hiatus from blogging during the month of June. I didn’t exactly quit, but I had to lay it aside to work on something else, and because I felt the pull to let it rest a month. Sometimes it’s scary-hard setting aside that thing you love, but you know, you’re always worse off if you ignore that nudge.
I will contInue to pray for you during this season, I know God will provide. He has given you many talents, even if pro-ball player isn’t one of them.
Can’t wait to see more about this new site, I’m sure it will be awesome.
Whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God… that’s the verse that comes to mind.
Now I need to go run, something I’m not all that good at, but continue to do anyway. 😉
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for the prayers, Kris. Last night God answered in Green Bay. Bread for more days than I thought would be provided for.
Matthew (FzxGkJssFrk) says:
Yeah, I’ll add another check to the “blogging” box. I still would love to do it, but between work, our new home (i.e. more work), and directing music for a church plant (Sunday is invincible!), I really can’t devote the time to it that I would have to.
So, yeah, totally understand. Plus, I haven’t been able to do my own music in about a year, and I would rather do that than blog.
Kris says:
Well, of course God did that in green bay, that’s so like Him isn’t it–abundant love. Yeah! Praising Him with you! 🙂
Kelli says:
If I could quit cleaning the house and doing laundry I’d have time for all the other things I’m actually good at. But I can’t do that so it’s a continual battle for balance. You are an inspiration in your ability to put some things aside to focus on the things that really matter. I miss your words when you’re not here (because you are a flipping excellent blogger) but I admire your willingness to sacrifice where necessary. Praying for you!
shayne says:
Every season has to end.
Your words have profoundly affected my life and the lives of countless children.
You have nothing to explain, nor do you have any reason to feel guilt or shame.
Take care of your family. We’ll be here when you get back.
Kit says:
You’re actually better at blogging than you think. The “cool kids” blogging are too often long-winded, and meanwhile I think you have a way of making excellent points very strongly because it’s also quickly 🙂
I am ok at everything, good or bad at nothing. It makes it very hard to decide what to pursue and what to abandon. I tend to just sit around and eat candy instead.
Zoë says:
I have often felt like I’ve taken a break from being me in order to be a mother. At school I was always top of the class. I had a natural gift for classical guitar. For a would-be speaker/writer/mathematician (I don’t know, I never got the chance to find out) I make a great mum.
Lately God’s been reminding me what an incredible gift it is to be a mother – and having had my children young, I’m beginning to claw back some of the ‘me’ stuff as they grow. Just finished my first long-distance university course and signed up for the next one (difficult in a family of academics to be the one with few qualifications).
Thank you, Shaun, for this blog. I’m glad that your family come first 🙂
Zoë says:
That wasn’t supposed to read like a boast (written words can have different interpretations!). Far from it. It’s a reminder to myself that I have as-yet unused gifts
Dwayne says:
It reminds me ofthe scripture about ( I can’t find it at the moment, maybe someone will know it), we can only see like we are in a darkened room and can only see shadows. God seems to like letting us spend a lot of our time wondering around wondering if what we decided to de was really what He wanted us to be doing. And often we really never know! The great thing as a Believer is that we know that even our not perfect choices will work out good somewhere because of Him!
Barbara says:
Ah, yes. My dear man asked me this winter what one thing he could take off my plate to give me the breathing space to do what we both feel the Lord is calling me to do. Frustratingly, the one thing I wanted to give up was the one thing the Lord doesn’t want me to quit! ha! And so, we start carving out time from other fine pursuits to make time for the better thing. Speaking of the pain you need to push through….