The Original Pinterest Board

I invented Pinterest.

Seriously.

Just like Al Gore invented the Internet.

Ever discover something new and think to yourself, “I wish I would have thought of that!” (Like dental floss on a stick.)  Or even better… Raise your hand if you DID already think of this same new idea; however never imagined taking it to the next step?? (Both of my hands are raised high in the air!)

That’s me! And my son!  And Pinterest.

When our youngest son was a little guy (not in stature but in age,) we recognized he was a child of many distracted directions and thoughts.  Imagine the dog Doug, from the the popular movie UP….that was our beautiful boy.  So kind and tender and full of wonder, a heart full of love & light and naivety. And… easily distracted.  (Squirrel!)

He had so many interests. So many passions. So many collections.  And he had an equally organized mother who struggled with the accumulations of “matter” attached to these various interests, passions, and collections!  We needed a compromised way to organize some of his interests which made us both happy and that’s how the board of pinned interest was invented!

A large board, hung in his leopard-spotted bedroom, which we could “Pin” some of said stuff in an effort to become organized (for my sanity) and less distracted, (for his attention-span!)

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If we had only taken our idea to bigger and greater heights. Think of what would have happened had WE been the two to put it ON THE LINE! (Or online.)

When we moved recently from our home of 17 years, our son’s board of pinned interest came with us and has remained much as it was when it hung in his room as a little guy.  Looking over the board I’ve enjoyed the memories that have stirred within me and I am grateful to have them displayed to be reminded of the many wonderful interests our son has often had.

And I wonder if we all had this board of pinned interest publicly displayed would we be proud, as believers, of what our Lord would see?  Would our interests glorify Him?  Or would they horrify? What would our interests say about us as believers? What would Jesus want us to pin?

Recently, I discovered (again too late in the game) that other’s contemplate these same questions.  That there is already a great visual discovery tool ON THE LINE  networking people with shared visions, thoughts, & interests; who desire to live a life glorifying His holy name.

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https://wordpress.com/read/post/id/67048096/577/

when you write a message, share a photo, or a video online, do you stop and think about what it says about you as a believer?

I am enjoying the new discovery of this site and am encouraged by those who set a good example, by their pinned interests, of

  “living a life as servants of God.” Peter 2:16

And it truly is okay with me that THEY thought to take this idea to bigger heights before I did. Both my hands are still raised high in the air that I’m like-minded with them!!

Hugs n’ Blessings!

Say Your Name!

Today’s task in blogging101: Say your name! (I added the exclamation mark.)

Say. Your. Name. Say. Your. Name. Say. Your. Name. Say. Your. Name!!!

hugsnblessings! given freely! 

Charged to:edit your title (hugsnblessings) and tagline (given freely.) Or if you’re already thrilled with yours, let readers know what inspired your choice. (to follow.)  The title is the first thing most readers will see. (hugsnblessings) Your tagline is a short phrase or sentence that does the heavy lifting when it comes to setting context for your blog & is a space to share some context on what your title is about. (given freely)”

hugsnblessings (title)

given freely (always)

What. Inspired. The Choice??

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matt 6:33 

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hugsnblessings,  given freely!

‘Nuff said?

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Deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths.  Now presssssss!!

And just like that, with eyes closed, I clicked myself into a blogging class. I was so ‘fuzzy excited’ I couldn’t wait until my husband came in to the room to share the news with him!! I had actually acted upon something I desired to do and put it into cyber-motion.  What’s gotten into me??  Wait, really….WHAT has gotten into me???  What has GOTTEN INTO me??? What has gotten into ME???

Still waiting for my husband (where is he??)  a quick re-evaluation of my actions ensued.  You see, I’m not the person who does things for ‘me.’ I’m a much better cheerleader for other’s pursuing their desires!! Certainly I think about doing stuff and there’s plenty of stuff I enjoy doing but I always need to have a REASON for doing said stuff.  Example: I loveeeee to crochet.  But you will rarely, if EVER, find me doing so unless I am creating a yarned item for someone else. Countless amounts of blankets, kitchen aides, baby/kid items, hats & scarves;  which have been stitched by my fingers, in an effort to create a bit of sheep-fur joy for another.  But comb through my home and there is not an item created just for me by me.  (Although, there was that lopsided sweater I’d intended for a friend which I kept for myself out of sheer embarrassment.)

Another, more recent example, is my love for painting.  My favorite form of therapy is to watch the wet streaks of paint fall from my paintbrush to create a treasure that fossilizes in its dried state.  This past Christmas Season I stole the opportunity to visit my ‘paint-brush therapist’ with the goal of creating a child portrait of my now 23 year old daughter.  Which, of course, I GIFTED to her.  Truth be told, I would have never taken the time to paint had I not planned this as a gift for her.

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But this ‘blogging thing.’ Hmmmmm. Who am I doing THAT for? Where’s the GIFT in that?

(Still no husband.)

Before the hamster wheel of thoughts continued I bravely texted our daughter to share the news with her.

me: guess what i just did??? i just signed up for a blogging 101 class through wordpress!! it starts Jan 5 and i’ll have daily assignments! (frightened emoji face attached.)

her: that’s awesome mom! i’m so proud of you!

And there it was. My reason!! I made my daughter proud.

Restored breathing begins.

(Husband at last enters...)

After sharing the enrollment news with my husband and receiving the same excited ‘thatta girl‘ endorsement, I’ve settled into the idea of trying ‘this blog thing’ out with a little more intentionality. I’m still not certain why I’ve been led toward this path but I do have faith, hope, and trust that it is my God who inspires me on these creative journeys.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”

Colossians 3:23

He inscribed this creative yearning in my soul and I look forward to discovering the underlying gift that will be found…even if the gift is meant only just for me.

Hugs n’ Blessings,

Dawn Marie