I've mentioned before how grateful I am for FlyLady, but recently I was impressed with her for much more than her system of keeping a home. In an email a few days ago, she wrote this:
The internet for men is a place to retrieve information. For women it has become a community.
Is that true or what? Of course, there are certainly times when women use the internet to retrieve information; and men use it for the community aspect of it. But in general, I find her statement to be extremely accurate and helpful for understanding blogging as the modern town well/quilting bee/gathering place for women.
I say all of that to say this: THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the kind words shared with us during this week of recovery from Sunday's fright. Thank you for understanding...thank you for not blaming...thank you for praying...thank you for leaving comments, emailing, calling, etc...thank you for sharing your stories of similar incidents...thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone, even in this unchosen part of life's journey.
During the course of this week as we've been out and about, I've happened to see a few friends and acquaintances at various places; and with each one, I've had the sensation of "you don't really know me at this moment because you don't know that I came face to face with Josiah's death on Sunday." In those circumstances however, I haven't felt free to tell them what happened because usually, Josiah has been standing right there with me and I don't want him to have to hear the story repeated endlessly. But in the back of my mind, I've felt like the people who read this blog are truly the ones who know the real me.
Thanks for knowing the real me, and still liking me enough to take the time to read my words. Thanks for being a safe community for me. Thanks for lifting me up when I felt so down this week.
I'm endlessly grateful.
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8 comments:
Davene, I am a Christian mommy to two little boys, Asher & Zephan, and I happened upon your blog several months ago when trying to search for a newspaper picture of my guys. (You had an entry that included their names when you were deciding upon Tobin's name and your blog came up in my Google search.) I have visited your blog numerous times since then and have been touched by your honesty and passion for Christ.
I have especially been touched by your recent entries and Praise God that Josiah is okay. We almost lost Asher recently when he stepped out in front of a car and the memory still brings tears to my eyes. He was miraculously spared from injury but all the "what if's" remain.
I just wanted to let you know that I have been blessed by you. (I also noticed that you have the Casting Crowns song "Who Am I?" on your blog and that you start your profile description with the same question. I thought I'd pass along this beautiful video to go along with that theme. Who are WE to deserve such grace? Who are WE to be spared our sons? Oh, how wondeful to serve a loving God! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA )
Davene -
Just popped over to catch up on your week (since the kids are finally napping and quiet). I am PRAISING God for his protection over Josiah and praying that you will continually feel His presence over and around you....as you are reminded that you are NOT alone.
Jolanthe
Davene~
First of all let me just say that I am so glad to hear that everything is okay with your little boy. I just read through the last several posts to get caught up. Isn't God good! He truly is our Protector, in every sense of the word.
I totally agree with the statement about the internet being a place of community for women. I have only been blogging about two months and the women I am meeting are so amazing. If I wasn't experiencing it first hand (the sense of community), I probably wouldn't believe it.
I'm glad you enjoyed the onion dip and enjoy the salad recipe!
Blessings!
~Christy
Oh my precious friend,
I have been pretty much away from the blogdom of late as my family has needed me. So though I have posted I haven't been visiting. I have you on automatic feeds so I had a whole basketful of posts to enjoy when I sat down with a teacup to call on you.
Oh MY!! You have had quite a week. I know all too well the "brushes" with death and the terror that lingers. My most precious friend and mentor always encouraged me to focus on "Whatever is true" rather than "What if..." or "What might have ..." That can be SO HARD!!! I am praying for you (as I am even when I am away from your Sylvan place), and now I have added an extra measure of comfort to the list.
You precious posting about all the "ordinary" things in a day was so healthy and refreshing and encouraging. I have always found that the simple pleasures and accomplishments in a day become the pearls of delight and wisdom that string together and adorn my memory with joy.
I applaud you for resting in His comfort. Your son survived because God had not called Him ... but I know how you must worry, even still.
Once my son Matthew was flying through the air on a swing with Grandpa pushing him higher and higher ... till the swing broke and Matthew slid across the pavement. Skinned knees and scuffed cheeks were all he received, but I STILL shudder to think of the other possibilities had he been higher up in the air. But God, the Father of all, knew he would live to enjoy swinging another day. And at age 20, he still does. (And Grandpa repaired that swing REALLY WELL!)
I cannot tarry any longer sweet friend, but I have been so blessed by our visit. You inspire me, encourage me, delight me, and cause me to celebrate this community of bloggers even more. It has been such a gift to me to meet so many in so many diverse places with diverse lives and dreams and paths and hopes. Not all know the Lord ... I'm so glad you do. Praise the Lord!
Davene,
I am so glad that God blesses us with fellowship even if it means reading about someone elses life on a computer. I truly believe that God surrounds us with the right people at the right time in our lives. He truly does use all things for our good (even the internet).
I am blessed and grateful for our friendship and continue to pray for you and your family.
I just started back doing the Flylady routine but had been deleting her Breezes, maybe I shouldn't be!
I agree about the community thing. It's amazing how close we can feel to people we've never met.
Kindred spirits indeed :)
Debbie
www.cheaperbythebakersdozen.blogspot.com
I understand what you mean when you say, "you don't really know me at this moment because you don't know that I came face to face with Josiah's death on Sunday". I've had that same feeling many times in the last few months - talking & laughing with people but all the while knowing they don't understand what we faced with Callie. They don't see the intense impressions made on a Mommy's heart when she almost loses a little one. I also felt that my blog friends were my strongest supporters during Callie's sickness, probably because it was easier to be open through the keyboard then face to face.
(((hugs)))) Wish I could hug you in person. (Hey, my hubby is in your area right now....maybe I should send him your way to give you a hug for me.) ;-)
You know, I think that is right about blogs being our community. I really missed the social aspect of my work at RMH after Paul was born. Now, I have realized that blogs are helping to fill that void. By the way, I think your blog is one of the greatest. And, I really enjoyed the few minutes talking to you in the parking lot the other Wed. night.
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