I quit. I gave up. I let my addiction take hold and get in the way of what was supposed to be my focus on God and His gift to us. I jokingly say that I gave up Lent for Facebook but it's really not funny. I am kinda disappointed but at the same time not sure I really thought this through as much as I should have. The intent was good but I didn't educate myself on the tradition as much as I should have. Seasons like Lent and Advent are new to me. They aren't observed in the churches that I've been a part of for most of my life so I'm somewhat ignorant to the tradition. It's a shame really because these traditions are rich in meaning and really help explain much of our religious heritage. I also didn't realize how out of the loop my 'sacrifice' would take me and that perhaps that wasn't the root of my distraction after all....
I will chalk it up to a learning experience. I am very happy to be back in touch with my Facebook friends and no more distracted than I was without Facebook. However, had I known that I could have still had Facebook on Sundays during Lent, I might not have caved so soon! Apparently whatever you give up for Lent, you can have on Sundays during Lent....HAD NO IDEA! So --- that helps--- a great deal. Good to know for next year. As for this year, I'll just keep toddling along, doing the best I can to learn how to walk the walk all along hoping eventually I'll learn to dance.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
What am I doing?
Spinning my wheels? Twiddling my thumbs? Going through the motions? I'm very frustrated with ME. I gave up Facebook for Lent so I could F.O.C.U.S. On God. On Family. On the things that are important! Also so that I would quit looking outside my box for a bit and realize just how great I've got it - all right here. I am the world's worst at comparison shopping (well ok, in a literal sense, I'm very good at it) but in a spirtual sense that is a HUGE flaw. Life is not about comparison. It's not about keeping up with the Joneses. AND - the grass is actually almost NEVER greener on the other side - that's an optical illusion!
I want to quit wanting. I'm good. I have everything I need...MORE than I need and I'm beyond blessed. But apparently eliminating Facebook has not elimated my bad habits. Instead, I feel out of touch with my peeps! But then - perhaps that is temptation talking.... Maybe it's doing more good than I know. Probably more effective would be eliminating internet altogether for awhile and along with that TV. But yeah..... I don't see that happening anytime soon. What pitiful creatures we are that we think we need all this meaningless technology!
So hopefully I'm reeling it in here. Back to the meaning of Lent.....preparation. consideration. What God gave for us ---it's so very humbling when you stop and think about it. Although I tend to make this world about me, it's really not. Or should not be. I hope to stop the vanity and selfishness and realize that I've been given so much already.... was given soooo much more when Christ died for me and perhaps it's time for me to give back. Baby steps though. I'm still not an adult Christian and wonder if I will ever be but the only way I'll get there is to try walking...do a little falling....get back up and give it another go. Somehow this theme is recurring but maybe, just maybe I'll get the hang of it. And perhaps someday after I do, I can work on dancing..... (Queue the music - I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack) Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance - I hope you dance.
I want to quit wanting. I'm good. I have everything I need...MORE than I need and I'm beyond blessed. But apparently eliminating Facebook has not elimated my bad habits. Instead, I feel out of touch with my peeps! But then - perhaps that is temptation talking.... Maybe it's doing more good than I know. Probably more effective would be eliminating internet altogether for awhile and along with that TV. But yeah..... I don't see that happening anytime soon. What pitiful creatures we are that we think we need all this meaningless technology!
So hopefully I'm reeling it in here. Back to the meaning of Lent.....preparation. consideration. What God gave for us ---it's so very humbling when you stop and think about it. Although I tend to make this world about me, it's really not. Or should not be. I hope to stop the vanity and selfishness and realize that I've been given so much already.... was given soooo much more when Christ died for me and perhaps it's time for me to give back. Baby steps though. I'm still not an adult Christian and wonder if I will ever be but the only way I'll get there is to try walking...do a little falling....get back up and give it another go. Somehow this theme is recurring but maybe, just maybe I'll get the hang of it. And perhaps someday after I do, I can work on dancing..... (Queue the music - I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack) Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance - I hope you dance.
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