Has anyone else noticed how impersonal our world has become? Wall posts replace birthday cards and the News Feed a confessional. When did it become appropriate to voice our every thoughts, whether personal or about a person, in a room with hundreds of people? Would you really go up to the pulpit on Sunday morning, or grab the microphone during half-time, and tell everyone your innermost secrets? Then why do we feel so compelled to do it on Facebook?
What is it that pulls us in, making us forget our manners and upbringing? When did I stop calling people to see how they felt, wish them congratulations or just say "Hi"? I see the changes that FB has brought upon us, and I'm not sure I like it. Sure, there are benefits to the social network. It gives on a sense of importance, like even though your home alone others are there, and care what you are going through (which is a good thing); and, it is a WONDERFUL way to keep up with friends and family that are spread out. But, it also tends to de-personalize relationships and opens doors for hurt feelings and damaged testimonies.
I've seen, more than once, (and unfortunately been guilty of myself) people's feelings hurt because of comments innocently (and sometimes intentionally) wrote, even though the author did their best to be vague. I've seen "church-going" people rant and rave and "like" apps and pages that leave me questioning their standing. I've seen families battle, rumors both started and fueled and relationships mangled all as direct results of things done and/or said on there.
As I contemplated all this I worried about how many times I may have contributed to anther's pain, or had MY testimony questioned because I posted something (or commented on something) when I was in a bad mood. Then I delved deeper. If I took the time that I spent checking fb, updating my status, "playing" around there or gossiping about others that were mentioned on there...if I took that time and spent it in prayer where would my relationship with God be? I posed this question to a friend and her reply stuck with me. She said, "Why, our faces would shine like Moses'!" Huh, that'll make ya think. Or, what if instead of posting on someone's wall I *gulp* called them, or sent them a card? Would that not go make them feel even more special or loved than spending five seconds typing a quick message?
So, as a result of my pondering I've decided to take a 30-Day sabbatical. I've come to the conclusion that I am happy being naive and gullible. I would much rather fall for it when the guys at work convince me that mental patients have been let loose in Wynne, than to have my respect lowered in those I love.
I've contemplated my relationship with fb for a while now; we're not broke up, we're just on a break (it's not fb, it's me); however you want to phrase it, the result is the same. For the next thirty days I'm going to be Facebook free (PLEASE don't call, text or email me asking if I know what so-and-so posted) and going to blog how it impacts my life. I'll go through and update my calendar with birthdays and anniversaries, and contact information with up-to-date details and then it'll be no more until at least March 26th. So if your phone rings, or you get an email/snail mail from me in the next month don't panic! I don't want/need anything I'm just going old-school.
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