I don’t know about you but sometimes I just need the freedom to “unplug” and enjoy more of Jesus. Now is that time. As a someone in ministry, I have to take precaution that I don’t serve others to the point of depleting myself or worse, to the extreme of forsaking my first love as Jesus described in Revelation 2:1-5.
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
As a believer and servant of the Gospel, I want to always remember the highest priority- loving Jesus. And one of the best perks of loving Him is the opportunity to ENJOY Him. So in that effort, I am taking a summer break from writing my blog posts and to unplug from social media.
It is my belief that time taken to foster my own first love with Christ will reap bountiful blessings. The Word of God is key to that so I plan on spending leisurely time enjoying the Bible without any thought of how to share those lessons with others. (Sometimes, you need to just focus on your own faith.)
Moments spent reading good books, giving attention to God’s work IN ME, getting to know my new local community here in Jacksonville and serving them, being more fully present for my husband when he is off work, these are a few of the priorities on my list for the summer. I look forward to what God has planned for me and I know it deserves my full attention. 
I appreciate your patience with me as I take the necessary time to invest in my own faith. Although I will not be writing new posts for a few weeks, there are 244 posts on my site to enjoy while I am on break.
You taking the time and attention to read my work through these last 2 1/2 years of writing have brought such encouragement to me. I’m honored that you subscribe or visit my website. Thank you!!
May you have a summer full of refreshment, fun, and time with those you love the most and may you continue to follow hard after all that He is!
Much love,
Gretchen
Melanie Redd says
Sounds like a great idea!
Hope you will have a very restful summer!
Blessings,
Melanie