Three Weeks In

It is hard to believe that we are already three weeks into Lent.  The time really is flying by quickly.  Last week Nick was off of school for spring break, so it was wonderful to have some uninterrupted family time with him, since his schedule is so hectic.  The older girls had a choral festival on Saturday, and Evy's birthday was Sunday, so that ended the week nicely.  

By now, I have gotten into a good groove and routine that does not include checking my facebook at random intervals in the day.  It has been really nice.  Hannah also gave up facebook, and both of us have been surprised at how much time we really were spending on there during the day.  I know people consider it a "time suck" but I didn't realize just how sucked in I had gotten.  When Lent is over, I am going to set a limit and stick to it, for both of us.

I am not a part of other social networking sites, so there are times I feel completely out of the loop.  There are some people I am thinking about who are friends on facebook and I don't have their contact information so I have no idea how they are doing.  I will admit that it has left me feeling a little out of touch.  I don't think it is healthy though, for me at least, to have a social networking site as my number one way of communication and socialization.  I won't go into an epic posting, but I think as a society in general, we are losing the art of communication and true relationships with each other.  I don't want that for my kids, so I should set a better example of it myself. 

Most of the people I am thinking about I am in contact with in other ways.  It has been nice and the contact feels more personal to me.  Rather than feeling isolated, I am enjoying the time I am spending focusing on what is in front of me, rather than what is on my computer or phone screen.  It has been good for me.  I feel like I am more present in the here and now.  I realize that makes me sound like I was a total facebook addict, which isn't true.  I probably spent a lot less time on facebook than the average person, however, it was too much time for me.  I tend to feel things deeply.  When a friend is upset or going through a hard time, I feel it so deeply for them.  When someone is upset over something, I get upset with them, when they are sad, I am sad.  I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing, it is the way God made me. It does become problematic when I read something that sticks with me and puts me in a mood for the rest of my day, and when it affects my daily life and how I interact with my family.  Facebook seems to be THE place for posts and articles which contain any number of emotionally rattling aspects.  I have seen things I wish I hadn't seen.  You can't un-see things.  Sometimes it is my fault because I click.  Sometimes a graphic picture is right there as I scroll down.  In any case, I am in a better place by not allowing myself to be bombarded with things that will affect me negatively.  It is also a place to get into heated discussions that I possibly wouldn't get into face to face with someone.  I love a good debate, but tone in typing is difficult to read, and it is too easy for people to walk away with hurt feelings.  I don't want to be a part of that.  By removing Facebook for this time in my life, I am removing a near occasion of sin for myself.  

All of this thinking has me wondering what I will do when Lent is over.  I'm not sure.  Facebook seems to be the way that most people feel comfortable keeping in touch.  Almost everyone I know has an account, and that is how a majority of people keep others up to date on important things in life.  By removing myself completely, I know I am missing out on some things.  I don't think I will delete my account.  I do know that will practice more self control regarding it.  I will probably cull down the number of people on my friends list.  If 40 days have gone by and we haven't thought about each other, then we probably aren't really friends.  I know that I need to probably cut down on the amount of information I put out there too.  

This has definitely been a very thoughtful time.