James 1:19 Wherefore my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
Facebook can be a two edge sword. As much as I
love social media it wastes my time. It really does. There is too many good
things to read, rabbit trails to run, and too many damaging words and pictures
forever on the internet for all to see. How often we over look or turn a blind
eye. If you are a Christian like myself you have to really analyze how much
time you should be on social media and how you will use it. I have had to being
to limit my use (and still need to pare down more!) When should I comment and
when should I let it pass through the feed?
How thankful we can go to
God's word and find that answer. An easy place to start is Proverbs 31 where it
gives clear instructions on expected behavior of a woman. We should be building
our home.
Facebook and Pinterest have fantastic
ideas to decorate, skills to learn, recipes, activities for kids and homeschool
ideas. You can find encouragement on blogging pages or Bible study methods and
reading plans. Here's a list of great resources available in one place!
BUT are we pinning items that we may truly try or things we wish we had?
(coveting) Are we just reading about someone’s struggle to feel better about
ourselves? The temptation is there and is in pretty packaging. We as Christians
have to make an effort to be using the internet for the best uses and have our
guard up as we use it.
How many times I can read something and
then get into a lengthy post of my opinion? It may have God's truth in it, but
to a world of sin I believe it falls on deaf ears or contentious hearts. How I
could have been wiser passed it by and worked on an area of clutter in my home,
planned my garden for the spring, done more reading with the littles (there is
never too much of that). God wants me to pour that truth into my children who
have open hearts to receive it and ears willing to hear.
What Does God expect? Should I never get on
social media? No. I believe we can encourage others, add beauty and
organization to our home using the internet. WE are able to bring things to our
home from “afar,” make wonderful meals we never would have otherwise, found
parenting advice from a place of struggle. We can gain useful wisdom and also
pass it along.
One of the first
things that convicts me is "she
does not eat the bread of idleness" Prov 31:27 His words clearly
state I should not be idle. To be hours on end on the computer is idleness no
matter how many good things we pin, comment, or see on the internet. There are
areas of our home that are troublesome. The junk drawer, the pile of papers to
be filed, grading of homeschool paperwork, extra time with our kids (the season
is sooo short). Time flies on its own but internet seems to help it slip away faster. Things left
"undone" in our family and home while we chose another pleasurable
activity is idleness. The key is there are things needing
to be done and we chose unwisely to do the computer vs the activity our homes
are waiting for us to do!
Are we not running off into others home/lives? How easy to be nosey
Reading others comments, especially those who happily blurt out their family
problems. Comparing ourselves to them, their families, and circumstances is not
being humble. Christ asks us to put others above ourselves. We cannot put our
husband’s and children’s needs ahead when we are checking out the neighbor’s
personal difficulties. 1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle,
wandering about from house to house and not only idle, but tattlers also and
busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
I am guilty, guilty,
and guilty of this. (Raise my hand way high) I do want to encourage others with
the thing I am finding helpful to change these bad habits. I use my phone. How
does a smart phone help? It helps not to scroll through Facebook, spend hours
pinning, check my emails as often because the computer doesn’t have to be on.
People can message me on my phone through Facebook or text. That is usually
quicker the chatting on the phone. I can answer and continue on with the task
at hand. I also learned about airplane mode! Thank You Busy Mom. She recommends
tuning it on during school hours. (It is found in the settings of a smart phone
for anyone as challenged as I) The phone can still be used for timer (great for
speed drills and reading speeds) and she also recommends not turning on the computer
until all the tasks you need to complete are finished. Set a timer so time doesn’t
fly off and then the stress and frustration of children having been unattended
need to be dealt with. (and the messes which now add to more wasted time)
Moms that stay at home can easily become addicted to social media.
It is really easy. Look at how hard it is for children having to get off the electronics
and we are just as guilty. As Christian moms we have the power of the Holy
Spirit to guide our choices and the power to overcome the draw of electronics.
I encourage you to keep track of your time, a good indication you
are on too much is when your kids are pulling or poking at you for attention. (Again
my hand is high) This year I am working toward a healthy balance of
electronics. It is a new issue as I was never a TV watcher and find myself on
my computer way too much. I used it during the time I was nursing twins. It is
exhaustive tiring and I was so glad to find other moms on the internet willing
to commiserate. Eventually it was a very bad habit. I feel it is just as bad as
gambling but instead of losing money you are losing time that can never be
replaced.
This was something on my
heart as I was reading through the Proverbs 31. I have done the study and many
things came back and reminded and as I pondered this post formed. I was
inspired to write it as God through His word showed me I need to continue to be
diligent and apply (OBEY) what I know I need to be doing. This didn’t happen
overnight. I have to walk it out daily sometimes struggling to do but His
mercies are new every day! I hope if you struggle as I do it encourages you too!
No comments:
Post a Comment