Sunday, February 13, 2011

Back again!

How lovely to come back from my 'week off' and read your wonderful comments! Thanks for stopping by, on my Spiritual Sunday post or on One World One Heart. I'm going to have to take some time catching up, reading your comments properly and stopping by to visit!So once again I'm linking to Spiritual Sundays, and am trying to put into words some of the things that the last week has taught me. One is that I've always been one to 'put on a good front', to place looking good ahead of actually being good. I'm not beating myself up about this, as it's human nature, but I've been able to spend a week just living well instead of trying to LOOK as though I'm living well. In that spirit, I think I need to take a week off from other people's opinions on a regular basis, as the only opinions that really matter are first God's, then my own, and those I love... I've spent too much of my life worrying about what other people thought of me and have spent the last year learning that good friends can like the real me but that people who want to reform me in their own image aren't good friends. Bloggers - you are good friends! I look forward to spending the next few weeks with you, and then I'll go off again to make sure I'm keeping it real...

13 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

Glad your week off proved useful. Like you I am too concerned with others opinions but am gradually learning to be me. My best friends are those who have seen me at my lowest ebb and still love me! What is it they say a true friend admires the flowers in your garden whilst overlooking the broken fence!

Welcome back!

JAne

Serenata said...

I'm so glad you had a beneficial week Floss and pleased you took the time for yourself. Sometimes it does us good to take a step back from things and you have summed up what is important so well. I will be having my blogging break soon. Tuesday week I will be heading off to stay with my parents in NZ for five weeks. It will be nice to be able to spend the time with them.

E. Charlotte said...

You are very wise! It feels good to take that step back and remember that at the end of the day you answer to God and yourself. Doesn't matter what society out there thinks. :)

Lululiz said...

Good to see you back again!
Don't fret over who you should be, enjoy who you are. You are a very lovely person.

Elderberry-Rob said...

The week off is a good idea - keeping it real is important - I will be following in your footsteps. it's good for the soul. Betty

Nikki (Sarah) said...

glad your week was great. Hope this one is equally as good!

Anonymous said...

Hope your Spiritual Sunday was blessed. Now, onto a Happy Valentine's Day and a good rest of the week :)

Beck said...

I really get what you mean Floss, and sometimes we need to step back and really look at how we see ourselves too. Glad you had a good week and hope this one is a happy one too. Much love xo

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

Message take two! The other one vanished. I love your idea of having a week off blogging. I might just take up that idea myself. Sometimes it's nice to not have to think about anything other than life itself. Glad you enjoyed your time off here. Have a very lovely week Floss.

Vintage Tea Time said...

The break you've just taken is such a good idea - and I can empathise with the comments you've made here! Enjoy your week - rejuvenated!

Donna said...

This is a great insight..and so true Floss! You are right..it's hard living up to other people's expectations. We need to live for the Lord. If he is pleased with us...then everyone else, really, should be. :O)

I learned..about 10 years ago, that I was just exhausted trying to live up to other people's expectations. It was so freeing to realize that my focus was all wrong. Now, I live to please the Lord and according to my conscience. It's like the bible says, "If a man's ways please the Lord, he will make even your enemies to be at peace with you." That's good enough for me. Thanks for reminding us to live a REAL life...and a quiet one.

Have a Lovely Day Floss!
xo
Donna

Floss said...

I just found this on the Bible Reading for the day and thought it summed things up nicely:

Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Charlotte said...

Someone has said if we knew how little other people think about us at all, we wouldn't worry about what they think. It seems everybody is wondering and worrying about what other people think of them. It certainly is human nature. But you're right. The only opinion that really matters is what God thinks about us. And I'm grateful for His mercy and His grace. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Charlotte