“Dorothy, what happened to the blog? I have not seen anything new in a long time,” my friend Deborah asked a few weeks ago. At least she had noticed and cared enough to ask. With most people, out of sight is out of mind.

“It will be back soon,” I answered. “I have a new tech person who will not only design a new and improved website but will manage it too. I expect to announce the launch date soon.”

I did not want to tell her the whole truth about my inactive blog. You see, I have been in a battle between the flesh and the spirit. No, I have not been practicing the works of the flesh: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 6:16-19). My struggle has been between “good acts” and “God acts.” I am easily drawn away by good acts that present themselves to me every single day.

Let me give you an example. Years ago, God told me to write Christian-living books, inspirational articles, and devotionals for meditation. I was busy pastoring a church, teaching in a Bible college, and helping my family and friends; doing good things. Then I retired from pastoring and the Bible college branch in which I taught closed. But there was a need at my church for an administrator, so I volunteered until they could find a skilled person. I also helped found a women’s mentoring ministry, which is much needed in our geographical area. I was busy, busy, busy serving God’s people in so many ways. But my assignment from God did not go change.

I submitted articles to several magazines and was blessed to be published and paid. I was also published in an anthology on prayer. At the same time, I served as the writing teacher and editor to help my church publish a 70-day devotional, Praise from the Pews. In May 2017, I started the blog to share weekly inspiration, but after five months my web manager quit and I was tired; so, I quit too. One of my seminary professors agreed to be my writing coach for the book, but I wrote in spurts because of too many “good things to do daily.” He eventually quit also. There never seemed to be enough time to write and submit articles, so I stopped that as well.

Procrastination is a form of rebellion. Starting and stopping before reaching the finish line is unacceptable. I knew I was wrong. I even wrote an article called “Reset” in October 2017 expressing my need to start over. I am so sorry. When one is truly sorry, she repents, asks for forgiveness, and obeys) with all her heart and mind. I have repented and asked God for forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. Now it is time to wholeheartedly obey.

Weight Watchers and others teach that one principle of success is to make oneself accountable by sharing your goals. I am making myself accountable by sharing the following goals with you.

From this season forward, I will prioritize. I will put God and His call first, self- care second, and everything and everybody else third.

From this season forward, I will practice excellent time-management habits. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

From this season forward, I will work SMART, setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based.

From this season forward, I will not immerse myself with satisfying the expectations of or meeting the needs of others. I have learned again the hard way that it is impossible. People change from day-to-day, but God remains the same. I am going to please God!

I thank God for His mercy unto me. Because He loves me He is giving me another chance to get it right. Gratefully, I begin again. This is my first blog since October 2017, with many more to come. In addition to inspiring blogs now, in the future there will be videos, audios, Bible studies, and interviews with mature Christians who desire to come alongside to help us live our best lives. There will also be contests and giveaways.

I encourage you to join the conversation each week in the comment section at the end of the blog. I welcome your positive conversation. Together we will bridge the Bible and real Life. It will be an exhilarating journey!

So, let’s start the conversation now. Have you ever been in or are you now in a season when you knew what God was calling you to do, but you allowed the cares of this world to interfere? What did you do about it? Are you presently in need of God’s mercy?