First Day Off Of Facebook

Photo courtesy Freedigitalphotos.com by Sura Nualpradid

Usually, when I wake up in the morning, I read my Facebook with a cup of coffee like humans, back in the day before Internet, read their newspapers.

Facebook is my morning newspaper. I look at the weather and only the news that interests me. Then, I'll see what my friends have posted since my last visit (which was usually just before bedtime) and read the recipes, the jokes, look at the art from my favorite artists, known and unknown,all while sipping on my hot cup of coffee.

Often, my dog will jump up on the sofa next to me where I am reading and bop the side of the laptop screen with his nose, indicating that I have been on long enough for his liking, while he longingly looks at his toy that he wants us to play with. I suppose I am neglecting the little fella for Facebook time.

This morning I logged onto Facebook very quickly just to post a "Happy Birthday" to one of my children. I was tempted to check my game "real quick", knowing that it wouldn't be quick at all. I wondered if anyone had tagged me on anything. But, I didn't check. I quickly logged off, feeling a sense of loss and went into the kitchen to start my breakfast.

I needed a distraction and found the perfect one to go with my breakfast. I clicked an app on my phone and found one of my favorite preachers to listen to while I ate my breakfast.

While eating and listening, I wondered if God have given me this perfect trade off - spending time alone with Him while I drink my coffee - instead of spending time with the Internet. I mean, I am giving this up for Lent and I was wondering if He was letting me know that He wants to spend time with me in the morning.

Now, I do spend time with God each day, but not first thing in the morning because I'm just not a morning person. I guess God knows I'm not a morning person and isn't really concerned about that. Maybe, in the mornings, He just wants me to listen to His Love Letter and, later, when I'm more awake, that is when I can talk with Him.

I wasn't tempted to get onto Facebook the rest of the day, like I thought I would be. I didn't miss it, like I thought I would. Maybe giving God the very first part of my day, instead of the Internet, is a better way to start the day off. Just knowing that God was actually interested in what I am doing for Lent was just another reminder that I really do matter to Him and that the little things in my life are actually important to Him.

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Jeremiah 31:3 says, "And from far away the Lord appeared to His people and said, 'I love you people with a love that will last forever,. That is why I have continued showing you kindness.'" (NCV)

God loves us with an everlasting love. And He wants to have a relationship with us.

Fasting From Facebook

I've decided to try giving up Facebook for the forty days of Lent. I emphasize the word "try".

It's nothing personal against any of my friends. I've had several people tell me they will miss me and I appreciate knowing that so much. You never know who is reading your stuff or just using you for a number on their list.

But, sometimes I wonder if I'm addicted to some of these new Internet "toys". They certainly can be a distraction. Even now, as I sat down to do this blog, which needs to get up today, I went over to Facebook "real quick" to check a few things and caught myself being captured in all the news and the posts.

If it gets too rough, I might text or email a status from my phone to my Facebook page, but I do not plan on logging in and looking at my newsfeed. As well, this blog will be posting to my Wall, so my friends will still be hearing from me.

Facebook is where I do EVERYTHING. I get my news and weather there; play silly games if I get bored (when I could be reading a good book); recipes - oh, I love all the recipes that come through and, yes, I do try some of them (so, thank you for sharing); once in awhile I get an email from a friend - and that is always fun; I keep connected with family; have found some precious long lost friends; have "met" some precious people whom I've never met in person before; and - the reason I came on Facebook - keep connected with family and friends. So, can I stay away for forty days? I really don't know. But, I'm going to give it a shot. I was inspired by one of those precious Facebook people whom I've never met to give up Facebook for Lent.

If you are like I was a few years ago and haven't a clue what Lent is all about, you can check it out. I plan to use the time that is normally spent on Facebook to pray for my family and friends and see how I can use my time more productively. I plan to track my journey here.

So, follow me and let's see how this thing will work out. Will I make it or will I give in? And send me your encouragement because I know I will need it.

As for my Facebook friends, you can always email me, call me, Skype or Google Hangout with me or write me a letter via snail mail, if you want to pay for a fifty cents stamp. I'd love to hear from you all anyway you want to contact me because I will miss my Facebook friends as much as they will miss me.

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Psalm 121:3 "He will never let your foot slip, nor will your guardian become drowsy." 

God reminds us that He is always ready to help us through life, no matter how difficult the task may seem.