A time for every purpose under heaven

After weeks upon weeks of consideration I've decided that it is time for me to set this blog aside. I cannot say for how long. It may be forever, or it may be for a few weeks. I'll leave it here, a record of my thoughts these last couple of years (the ones I dared air publicly that is), a reminder of this stretch of my sojourn.

I began my writing a much different person than I am today. I resist the urge to be embarrassed by my earlier views and attitudes. I was not perfected then, nor am I now. But I pray I never go backward. I want to step forward, arms flung wide open, into the fullness of the freedom that is in Christ, ready to embrace fellow believers of every variety and move forward with them reveling in and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to a hopeless and hurting world.

So, what's next? I can't say really, except that I plan to take my life and my writing in a different direction. That direction might just become clearer if I do it away from the confusing din of the internet.

As for my friends here, I haven't died yet, and I don't want to lose you. Please contact me via e-mail or Facebook if ever you want to keep in touch.

Comments

Debbie Petras said…
Sometimes the Lord closes one door for a time. I know He will use you as you have so much to offer and give. I'm glad I'm your Facebook friend and that we share a birthday.

Love you,
Debbie
Ancoti said…
We will miss you. I am sorry to see you go but understand, having wrestled with the decision to shut down on blogging myself.

The din on the internet can be deafening. maybe some quiet time will bring you back better than ever. Which would be grand, I did so enjoy your writing.

See you on down the road.
Betsy Markman said…
I know the Lord will bless this phase of your journey. Glad you don't plan to lose touch.
Kent Island Red said…
Hi Laurie,
Even though I haven't been blogging that long, I will miss your posts. I know you have to do what is best for you, but I really enjoyed them and found them very insightful, and your faith and spirituality were very inspiring to me.

God bless your future endeavors and all the best to you and your family.
Laurie M. said…
Thanks, Friends.
As I said, I'll be around, and still visiting blogs. I just need to direct my energies elsewhere for a while, at least. To be honest, my heart is breaking over some things I'd rather not discuss openly and I just can't heal in public.

Kent - I've left several comments on your blog, but they never go through for some reason:-( I'm pretty sure stories about my own chickens weren't offensive enough to be censored, so it must be a computer glitch. Anyway, I tell you that so you will know that I've actually been reading your blog and enjoying. I just can't get through to you there....
Anonymous said…
I'll miss your blogging, Laurie. Your reflections were always worth taking time to read, and your blog was one of my favorites.

At the same time, I understand your decision. Since the day I began blogging, I have debated with myself whether it was worth the time I put into it.

I pray that God's grace and peace would flood your heart, Laurie.
Laurie M. said…
Barry,
You are truly a light shining in the darkness. If your friendship were the only thing I gained from all this blogging, then it was worth it. Keep on being a voice of love and gentleness in your spheres of influence. As long as there are Christians like you I retain hope for the Church in our country.

And as I said in a previous comment,I'll still be visiting folks at their blogs, etc. But I only have so much time and heart for writing and I'm trying to funnel as much of my writing juice into a different receptacle for the moment.
Kerri said…
Laurie, I've been through the same thing myself a few times. :)

Your post have always been meaningful and heartfelt and I've appreciated them. I pray the Lord will bless you where ever He may lead (as I know He will.)

God Bless.
Life! said…
I'm so happy to know you, Laurie. Yours was one of the very first blogs I really followed and couldn't wait to read. How good it is to have ongoing communication links with you. Who knows how you, with your writing and other talents, will be steered, and healed and used in a world of suffering by your good and gracious Shepherd? I'm going to miss your honest,tender-hearted,funny and quality posting on "Beauty for Ashes". See you on facebook/twitter in the mean time!
Karin said…
Thanks Laurie for your kind words on my blog! Trust you are fine and are enjoying your blog break! Wishing you many wonderful adventures with the Lord.
Anonymous said…
There's a lot of freedom in just living without reporting, recording, or taking documentary photographs of the life as it is lived out. I've only just read this post. I will try to keep up with you on FB. You guys have our address & numbers, so if you get out to this part of the world, do give us a call.
Laurie M. said…
Thanks Christov, and if we do get out that way we will let you know in advance.
Simple Mann said…
Hi Laurie - Nice to see your "blog face" back up and shining. :)

Psalm 118, verse 8 says, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man." Move this Psalm to the top of your playlist.

Grace and Peace in Christ our King!
"Simple Mann"
Laurie M. said…
I will, Paul. I'll go read it right now.

I've taken refuge under His wings and will hide there until the darkness subsides and I can believe again with my whole heart that His grace extends not just to "one such as me" but to ME - that I am His and He is mine and that in His love I can stand.

Please remember me in your prayers. Your kindness has brought my Paul and I untold comfort.
Simple Mann said…
Hi Laurie -

I just happened upon this hymn last night when I was flipping through our hymnal looking for a new one to learn. I've never heard it, but I thought of you immediately when I read it. I remembered reading what you wrote, "until the darkness subsides and I can believe again with my whole heart that His grace extends not just to 'one such as me' but to ME"

Here is the hymn. I know the Lord will have to put the words in your heart. I go through my times of quiet desperation, too. But I hope it speaks to you.

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

by Haldor Lillenas (1885-1959)

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Amen.

Blessings!
Paul
Anonymous said…
Hi Laurie,

You don't know me and I don't even remember how I stumbled onto your blog. Suffice it to say that I found it worth reading. I have appreciated your unpretentious, unaffected way as you ponder the issues of life and living.

Don't lose heart. The grace of God who drew you unto Himself will keep you in all your ways. Not to sound trite but the sun never stops shining even when all we see are the clouds overhead. I dare say that those cloudy days do, in fact, cause us to appreciate the beauty and faithfulness of the sun when it finally comes through.

Take a deep breath and live moment by moment in light of the finished work of Christ on our behalf.

We will yet hear from you . . . the new and deeper insights that this period of suffering will bring.

Your sister in Christ,

Dulce
Laurie M. said…
Dulce,

You've brought tears to my eyes and comfort to my heart. Thank you.

Perhaps the Lord will lead me to write again someday...but not yet.
Anonymous said…
Of course! . . .

I look forward to reading what you will share of this season of your journey. I am confident that He will continue to increase even as you decrease. Though exacting it is a price worth paying.

Also wanted to know that I pray for you often.

In the Lamb,

Dulce
Hillary said…
So, what's next? I can't say really, except that I plan to take my life and my writing in a different direction. I had to read this several times because "I plan to take my life" jumped out at me as a singular event and I must confess, caused me some consternation.

{{hugs}}
Laurie M. said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie M. said…
Hillary,
Let's hope it doesn't come to THAT! But thank you so much for caring about my life.

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