What a week it has been. I have an important announcement to make this week, but first off, I would like to say a heartfelt congratulations to Ben Higgins and his beautiful fiance, Lauren Bushnell. This season of the Bachelor has been one of my favorite shows I’ve ever watched. While the process is definitely weird, I thoroughly enjoyed the heart behind it. It was evident that Ben took it very seriously, it was no joke or game. He treated the women with the utmost respect and was a fantastic communicator. He acted in honesty and integrity and prayerfully made his decisions…I cannot be more happy for Ben and Lauren. Congrats!! I pray a long, happy, healthy life together and a blessed marriage. I also pray that people give them room to let them live their lives!

Now to the announcement. This week has been a week of revelation for me. My eyes were opened to some things that really rocked my world. Kirby and I made a decision to take three days stepping away from all screens (iPad, tablets, games, tv, phones, and computer) and all of our social media (unless work related). What we realized in this time really hits an emotional cord with me, especially after last week’s blog.

I realize how tunnel visioned I truly was. Throughout the three days, we found ourselves not easily agitated or tired all of the time, but rather peaceful and carefree. We were able to get true rest, having TIME to do things together and things we enjoyed. We sat outside, we talked and laughed harder than we have just being goofy, we were truly present with each other…I fell even more in love with Kirby over the past three days (if that’s even possible).

Most importantly, Kirby and I were able to more fully put a priority on God by getting in the word reading together morning and night, we made time for each of us to pray and spend time with God, we prayed together and for one another. I can say that these were the most refreshing, peaceful, carefree days that I’ve had in a long time. We need to be in tune with God and be full of His word so that when situations come up that we can respond in love and Godly wisdom, and be able to emotionally handle things and make good decisions!

I’m emotional writing this, because at the end of the three days I wept. I didn’t want it to end and I cried for realizing what I had been missing and not wanting the days we had to end. I didn’t want to be sucked back in to our devices anymore, into its tireless cycle. God’s brought me to the realization that I don’t need followers on Instagram. I don’t need to work tirelessly to promote my blog and do what other bloggers suggest. We have so many things pulling for our attention and time in the world we live in. It’s so noisy and full. How can God ever get a word in?

I’m choosing to finally say no. I’m finally free! I’m free to do as the Lord leads – I’m free to live my life!!! I’m free to continue my blog weekly, writing what the Lord puts on my heart, but I’m going to let the Lord promote it. If God called me into this, which I believe He did, then He will take care of the rest.

To be a leader you need to be someone worth following. I’ll make Instagram posts when I have a new blog launch or if I just have something neat to share, but it doesn’t own me anymore. You won’t find be being active on social media any more. I know I will lose followers because of this, in fact I already have, but it’s ok. I refuse to sacrifice my time with God or my husband any more putting them on the altar in the name of feeling obligated to social media.I refuse to step away from drinking from the well of life that satisfies to drink from something that always leaves me thirsty and anxious.

God has given me a beautiful life to live that’s better than I deserve. I don’t want to miss a thing. Those three days truly opened my eyes to how much I was missing out on. I was caught up in and a slave to something that in the light of eternity, doesn’t matter a single bit. I’ve never felt more free.

I realize that this week’s blog is a little different and probably not what you were expecting. So, I want to say thank you for listening and hanging in there. Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, and thank you for your beautiful hearts full of support and love. I love ya’ll and I’m excited to see the direction God will take this blog every week now that I have made this decision to step away and be intentional about having ears to hear and eyes to see what He’s saying. I’m praying that you all remember how loved you are and that you are the light of the world. I hope you have an amazing week!