Hi Y'all!
About a week and a half ago, I posted on Facebook a short goodbye message: "Hello friends! I am taking a break from Facebook--it may be a 30 day break, but it could be longer or even permanent..." I was beginning to feel like Facebook had become too much of an idol for me. I know that probably sounds strange to most people. Especially those who know me well and know I do not spend more than probably 20-30 minutes total per day on Facebook (at maximum). But, an idol is any person, object, or even activity that you give a higher priority in your life than a relationship with God. It can be your home, your job, your hobby, a car/vehicle, relationship and even your family. An idol can be your home, your computer (or what you look at on your computer--Facebook). It could be any sin. Hey, it could even be the work that you do for the Lord but that consumes all your time and energy. Our God is a jealous God and He wants our time and attention. For me, Facebook was becoming a bit of an idol, because my "idle" thoughts were often focused on Facebook and what "news" I may be missing. My Facebook had become a conglomerate of friends, acquaintances, product/company page likes (131 to be exact), groups (homeschool groups, recipe groups, yard sale groups, etc.--way too many of them), events, and so much more. Although I really didn't spend a lot of time total on it each day, I was getting notifications all day from all the groups I was a part of, and would use my "free minute" here and there to check it. Stuck at a light with a train? Check Facebook. Kids are playing well together for a moment and don't need me? Check Facebook. On a road trip to visit family? Check Facebook. Do you see the trend? I can definitely see how a "jealous God" could be saddened by where my thoughts and time were being spent. I am positive He would rather it go something like this...
Stuck at a light? Talk to God.
Kids playing well together? Thank God for it.
On a road trip? Talk to husband about what God has done in your life lately.
Anyway, that is a big reason why I hopped off Facebook. When/if I get back on I am going to need to seriously overhaul my account. I love all of the education/news I receive--but perhaps I need to limit how much I am receiving. I love checking up on how all my friends are doing. But, perhaps I need to weed out my friends list to try to keep it to actual friends/family vs. acquaintances or folks I may have met one time. I hadn't made it all the way through my news feed in months due to the length of it. There was also the drama of Facebook though with likes/comments, etc. Anyway, I believe you understand that there were many reasons that I felt personally convicted of leaving--at least for a while. I have decided before I was going to limit my Facebook time, yet was unsuccessful. Therefore, this time I deleted the Facebook application from my phone. My "self control" needed a little help and deleting the app was just the help it needed.
I know it has only been a short time that I have been off Facebook, but let me tell you---it is so freeing!!! It has felt as if a burden has been lifted. I feel like my time has been more focused on my children. Now, it's time for me to deepen my relationship with the Lord again!
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