A long time in not posting deserves a long post

As with all things that are "new", there is an interesting phenomenon that occurs. It seems that no matter the grandness with which something starts, or the enthusiasm behind a fresh idea, it inevitably goes through a definite period of "dwindling". It is, in my opinion, this period in which makes or breaks the original idea... Let's get this conversation out of the abstract and consider what exactly this means. Take a moment to think about someone, perhaps it is even yourself, who made a decision to start something new, or create a new habit. This decision or habit probably starts out great, be it a New Year's resolution, creating a timely homework schedule, or let's say someone creates a new blog. In most cases, it usually begins with a desire to see something happen, for example:

"Wouldn't it be great to let people know what is going on at Camp?!"

The idea is in place! Next, if the desire is strong enough, it moves into a new phase...

"yeah, that would be great... but how?"

At this point in the process, the person begins, bit by bit, to see how it might be possible, and the desire grows (if it's strong enough).

"Well, we have a Newsletter, which is awesome, but what if I miss the deadline? Also, what if I want to print the Camp schedule? Do I really want the donors to know the kids stay up until 12am? Hmm, what if I tried doing something on the Internet? I'm no web designer, but maybe I could find something to make this work"

Before too long, a plan is beginning to form and steps are created to make it happen, so long as that original desire is strong enough to keep it going.

"Ok, I know this person who made a blog and everyone read it, so it could work. All I have to do is make an account, find a technology person to make it visible to people interested in camp, & I can publish Camp Schedules and post things that people might read half of!"

From there, as long as that original desire is still strong enough, it's not much farther before the steps slowly start falling into place, and desire, means, and plan form into action.

Certainly, this is a silly, and as you might have picked up on, a real life example of how ideas become reality. What, though, does this have to do with the "new" things in life dwindling? Well, even in the creation of new habits and decisions, many times these things fade before they even start. They dwindle before they even have a chance to become reality. Sometimes this can be a good thing: I once wanted to live on a boat that would sail around the world for two years. For me, that was not a great idea, and thank God, I did not want it badly enough to see it through to reality. If we go through this process in the things we think we want, why on Earth, would we not think the things we are doing also need to be checked by our desire to see them through? Often times we get so busy with life that our doing supersedes our reasons for doing. This, once again, probably sounds a bit abstract, so to put it concretely:

(July 18th, 2008)
"Wow, Summer Camp is coming really fast, but I still need to post something. I have a blog, better not let it get old."
(4 weeks later)
"Wow, I only posted the Juniors' schedule, I probably should post something else... oh my gosh! I totally forgot to do the check in sheets, I'd better do that!"
(5 weeks later)
"Oh yeah, the blog... I am so tired... I'll do it later"
(8 weeks later)
"Oh. The blog... forgot all about that... how embarrassing."
(12 weeks later)
"Ok, this is silly. I wanted this blog to keep people informed and the last post was from week one of Summer Camp. I really want anyone who cares about Camp to have every opportunity to know what's going on that they can have. Even if I have to make fun of myself for not writing for 12 weeks, this is important enough for me to do it."

In the end, our reasons for why we are doing something are what will either: give us the motivation to keep doing what we need to do, or call it quits because our reasons for doing it in the first place aren't enough to keep going.

Lamentations 3:40
Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.

What we need to ask ourselves is this: what is truly important to me? What is worth my time, and worth the effort I put in? Do I do things "just because", or because the reasons I have for doing them are driving me forward? It seems, unless I am alone (which I doubt) that we all go through times of dwindling, whether it be in our resolutions, our habits, or our faith. This time, though often frustrating, can be vital if we respond appropriately... "is this still important... and why?"

...so is the blog still important to me?... yes... and I apologize for going this long without realizing it.