Busted!

It was bound to happen, sooner or later. I spent more time on Twitter this holiday season than I have since summer. Some of my blogging buddies dropped comments there -- little, 140-character messages which really meant, "You would know this if you had been present at all in the last year."

To which I say: Busted!

You are absolutely right. I haven't been online much. Maybe I haven't visited your blog. Or maybe if I did, I didn't leave a comment. I love reading what you write. But on most evenings, I am too tired to comment, too weary to type.

For two years, I have been juggling a very ambitious seminary program which includes original languages, along with a job "on the side." This has affected my blogging. Often at the end of the day or the week, there is nothing left in my head. My first priority on weekends has become the goal of personal renewal, so that I may live to fight my battles for another week.

I have not forgotten you, my friends. I still enjoy reading your thoughts when I get a chance. But I am facing my music today: I cannot be here in the same way with you -- the way I was before seminary. In spite of this, I have decided to keep The Moonboat Cafe open for occasional posts, although I have thought about closing it more than once.

Why? Because I love my blogging friends. I don't want to neglect anyone. I don't want to ask anyone to read my posts if I can't reciprocate. But, in spite of my limitations, I could not quite bring myself to walk away. I just did not have a peace in my soul about ending our conversation.

It's like this. Although I now live in a faraway country, I relish an occasional letter or card (both sending and receiving), because I treasure you and your words.

So, in my situation, you can imagine how encouraged I was to read this great post by J.B. Wood at Shrinking the Camel: Five Ways to Avoid Blogging Burnout .

My blogging goal for the New Year is simple. I will not end our conversation. Instead, I will be present when I can and where I can, without regrets.

May your 2013 be glorious.

Please feel free to leave a comment below with a link to your current blog. I would like to stop by. Or leave a comment anyway. I cherish the sound of your voice. 

Vintage Image from the 1930s, courtesy of Dover Publications.