Today marks the beginning of the season on Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter. Lent is the time of year where we turn away from those things that block our relationship with God and others. I always get excited this time of year because it means Spring is finally on it's way. In fact, the word Lent comes from the word "Lencten" which means "Spring".
Every Ash Wednesday I "Give up" some vice I have for Lent. This year I decided it would be Facebook. I spend countless hours perusing the social networking site. I can not resist being nosy into other people's lives. Sure, I have touched base with friends I haven't seen in years, but that is pretty much the extent of it. Nothing more, no lunches, no lets get together; just a nice exchange of good to see you!
I was laying in bed awake last night trying to think of something that would really be a sacrifice for me to give up. Obviously, Facebook is what I came up with. Superficial, maybe...but it is something I look forward to every day. Logging on and checking in on the status of all those people I know or may have encountered at least a few times in my life. Even though I have made no long lost reunion connection, it somehow passes Ryder's nap-time hours away.
In the past, I have given up things like "Diet Coke". But, isn't Lent supposed to be spent becoming aware of our sins and the promise of forgiveness...a time when we turn away from those things that block us from God. In reality, how does not drinking a Diet Coke bring me closer to God? I guess the same could be said in Facebook. How does perusing a social networking site keep me from God? I'm not sure that it directly does, but indirectly I am sure the time I spend there does.
Today I thought to myself, what if I spent the time I normally spend on Facebook doing something productive, praying, or helping others? How much more worthwhile would I feel?
How much less stressed out would I be if I wasn't finishing up my Bible Study at 10:00 PM the night before class because I didn't finish earlier due to my incessant reading of Facebook statuses? How great would it be to finish all of my work reports during the day and not spend time on them at night after my husband gets home? After all, I don't get to see that much of him during the week anyway. How great would it be to say YES when my husband asks me if I've said my prayers as I am running around like a Chicken with my Head cut off? Maybe, just maybe I won't be that Chicken with his head cut off!
So Goodbye Facebook for now. I am sure after this period of reflection I will be back for more! For now though, I am going to make a huge effort to become closer to God and really examine the Sins in my life. I am going to try and Blog more often because it is so therapeutic and I really think we can learn and share so much from these little post!
3 comments:
Well said. I am constantly kicking myself the night before Bible study because I'm cramming. I LOVE this background! I tried it on mine and it didn't look right-with my settings-looks great on yours :):):)
I totally like this idea, never heard of it but I think its great. After the 40 days I place my bet that when you return to facebook, you will get on there and be like "you know I am not even that interested after all, off to do something more fun with Ryder or blogging." LOL
I don't use facebook so I would have to give up blogging, but that would be a HUGE challenge. LOL
See all those facebook people are the ones missing out.... because I still get to stay in touch with you and you still get to be nosy in my life via blog.
Oh and one other thing.... you may want to just delete, delete, delete all those facebook emails. LOL Satin will tempt you, you know.
Good Luck.
Good for you! I'm not even Catholic and that sounds like a good idea. We were thinking about giving up sugar for the month of March, but I like your idea. It would really be more of a sacrafice than a dietary restriction. I just might copy you. I know I could be more productive instead of wasting time on FB. GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS
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