I'm not 100% sure that title is correct but..it works. It's more like what I was reminded of or re-discovered AND learned during Lent but it just seems the absolute right word eludes me.
Lent started March 5th this year and it seemed a bit longer than usual but perhaps that's just because I actually gave up something that was difficult. I started a little late (March 8th) but that was due to indecisiveness and a wish to give up something God wanted me to give up, not just pick something out of haste to make sure I started on time.
On Friday, March 7th, my husband and I were in the middle of this year's first month of counseling training and let me tell you that first speaker? He was ummmm... difficult to sit through. I don't mean to be or sound mean because it takes a lot to stand in front of 300 strangers and pour out knowledge to them one hour at a time but that man was boring. Boring. Boring as in I almost had to tape my eyes open. As in I almost fell asleep more times than I can remember counting. It was hard.
And in the middle of those hours I checked Facebook. Twice. And not just a random scroll through. Nope. A read each post, click on links to articles check. Twice. Why is that a big deal? Because my husband and I paid $410 to take these classes this year. That's $205 each. At six sessions that $34.17 a day. Doesn't seem like much but it's a significant enough number that I didn't want to be ignoring what I was being taught.
That's when it struck me. Facebook was too important to me. I was spending way too much time checking to see if it was my turn in Words with Friends and other such inane things. Facebook and I needed a break. So - that is what I gave up until yesterday.
I've signed back on and yes, I've been on it more than I should already but I've been thinking about this all day and honestly? I am checking it less so far but I pray to continue that. I'm asking the Holy Spirit to help me resist the dulling lure of Facebook because it does take me away from things I should be doing and actually prefer (like reading books) and keeps me from taking care of things I should take care of (like cleaning house, laundry...and my job) and that is just not good.
Above all of that, though, there were some imperative things I was reminded of, learned, discovered... and by imperative I mean draw me closer to God things. Let me see if I can get them all listed and not forget any.
1. Sacrifice is hard. Even small sacrifices and my sacrifice was ridiculously insignificant next to Christ's.
2. If I don't rely on Christ; keep my eyes on Him, I will fail at everything I try to do on my own. Always.
3. I cannot draw close to God if I have my eyeballs glued to a computer screen.
4. Things happen to people in my life, things I can't control or do anything about.
5. I love the people in my life. I love them dearly. I enjoy knowing what they're doing, how they're feeling, when they're struggling (I don't enjoy THAT they are struggling, though). It gives me specific ways to pray for them.
6. Investing in the people in my life is one of the best things I can do to glorify God. However, investing in them in person is the best way to go about it even though the computer seems somewhat sufficient in some matters.
7. I would like to take a trip back to Jersey. Connecting with where I've come from is an ache in my heart that I hope to get rid of and the only way to do that is by heading in that direction. Need to start planning that one.
8. Facebook is a fabulous tool but it is only that - a tool. It is not real, it is not human and it is not intimate. If my only interaction with someone is through Facebook, I don't really know them.
9. I love Jesus more than I realized. I also need Him more than I really knew.
Those are the reasons that have come to mind so far. If there are more, I'll add them but these nine things have given me a lot to think about. A lot to use to change my habits.
Now let's see how I do...
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