Welcome back to Porch,
your go-to weekend companion.
Discover a fresh perspective.
your go-to weekend companion.
Discover a fresh perspective.
Energize your mind.
Receive spiritual sustenance.
Receive spiritual sustenance.
Get unstuck.
Share your story.
Share your story.
Hey all, I'm so glad you're back!
Raise your hand 🙋 if your week's been a tad unhinged or had one too many unwelcome surprises. It's always a comfort to know that you're not alone, isn't it! I think you just might find yourself in good company as you make your way through this 4 Somethings edition ... and in the conversation that follows.
SOMETHINGS LOVED
SOMETHING GLEANED
'In solitude we can listen to the voice of Him who spoke to us before we could speak a word, who healed us before we could make any gesture to help, who set us free long before we could free others, and who loved us long before we could give love to anyone.
It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts. In solitude we discover that our life is not a possession to be defended, but a gift to be shared.
It's there we recognize that the healing words we speak are not just our own, but are given to us; that the love we express is part of a greater love; and that the new life we bring forth is not a property to cling to, but a gift to be received.'
- Henri Nouwen
SOMETHING BRAVED
SOMETHING ACHIEVED
AFTER
BEFORE
After making lame excuses for far too long, I've been working on cutting back on my phone's overbearing influence. Tethered to me like a lifeline, my ever-present companion had morphed into a rectangular tyrant. A time waster, a relationship interrupter, a brain overloader, an energy drainer.
The clincher? My devotional life wasn't the priority it had once been and I could no longer ignore the Spirit repeatedly whispering, 'enough already ... let's tighten this up.'
'Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you ...'
1 Peter 5:8,10 {GWT}.
📵 The games have been deleted. Talk about addicted. Getting all jazzed up. Conversations I missed. Books I never got to settle in with. Vistas I all but ignored. Wasted hours I can never get back.
📵 The volume is low. A silent blinky notification lets me know about new emails {publishing your comments} and texts {connecting with family}. No jarring obnoxious beeps and chimes unless I'm waiting for something important.
📵 The phone gets turned off after supper. It's like putting a toddler to bed because they're done for the day and everyone needs a break. If someone wants to be in touch, they call my husband. He always knows where I am.
📵 I'm easing into a 24 hour sabbath each weekend. Yes, I still go on to check texts and emails a few times. I might take some snapshots. But that's about it.
📵 A peaceful image = a calming homescreen. The visual clutter is gone. I deleted unused apps and everything else is one swipe away on the next screen page. Thank you, Courtney Carver.
This is all still a work in process, but do-able and necessary for my serenity. I'm feeling motivated, unencumbered, and far more productive. Bonus points for sleeping better, too.
Our phones are a very personal thing and I'm not about to get all phone-bossy on you. I'm just saying that this is what's working for me. Not everyone has the freedom to silence their phones. My hat's off to all who live life on call ... ministers, the self-employed, medical and emergency services personnel.
And parents of young adults. Children of elderly parents. I hear ya'.
And parents of young adults. Children of elderly parents. I hear ya'.
From My Heart to Yours ~
Linda
Long time subscribers, please re-subscribe if you haven't done so since June 2021 OR if you're getting two emails, click here, scroll down, and read this important update.
And a special thanks to My Fairy Blog Mother for her super-quick response to my SOS last weekend, rescuing me from my self-imposed mess. The woman sure knows her way around the intricate innards of Blogger and Mailchimp and has been a true lifesaver more than once!
🔑
spread the love
with the share buttons below
with the share buttons below
🔑
As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a financial benefit when you make a purchase using the links on this site {at no extra cost to you!} Thanks for supporting my work and keeping my online home ad-free.
🔑
sharing Porch with
Heather & Jeanne/Lisa J
Heather & Jeanne/Lisa J
