For the month of March I have given up Social Media.
Which, for me, wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
Sure, there were moments when a little scroll through my following list would have passed some time waiting for dessert to get out of the oven, instead of just sitting there, watching the timer count down. But those moments gave me time to think and ponder.
Ponder on life.
How I'm not getting any younger, neither are my parents, nor siblings, nor nieces, nephews, and in-law siblings.
Think about all my favorite memories.
Or just general thinking and pondering.
Here is a short list {Or long list, I haven't seen the end of this post yet.} of things my month~long fast has taught me..
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| Winter Snows. |
There's more to life than just pictures. There's a background story, moments leading up to the picture that I am about to take that made me want to take a picture in the first place. Moments that I missed because I was too busy trying to find the right angle for maximum picturesque~ness. Moments that can never be taken back. Like, my younger sisters making jewelry with me on a Sunday afternoon. Or my brothers laughing with me about the way I hammer nails out of wood.p Instead of trying the right lighting and angle for the photo, I was able to sit back, and take in the moment.
James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.*
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| Spring Flowers. |
My family is growing right before my eyes, and I'm too busy taking pictures of them to notice. Ever look at old pictures of your kids, siblings, parents, family? Do you notice how much they've grown since that picture? When did that happen? Was it when I was taking pictures of them? Where did that precious time go?
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.*
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| Summer Gardens. |
I waste too much time looking at other people. There, I said it. Now I've done it. Yes, I waste entirely too much time looking at what my sweet friend had for dinner, or how much their kids have grown, or what they read in the Bible; when in reality, I should be the one reading the Bible. In just a month of no social media, I've had the free time to finish the book I've been wanting to read. I finished so much of my Bible reading, that it has surprised me. I spend so much time praying before bed, when before, I would be scrolling through social media.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.*
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| Fall Leaves. |
God wants my time, not social media. God wants me to spend as much time in His Word and talking to Him, as I do on social media.
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.*
And lastly,
My time could be spent on more productive things. Like, washing all the clothes before lunch. Baking 3 1\2 dozen cookies to freeze for snacks. Helping someone with something. Taking a walk. Reading. And-so-on-and-so-forth.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.*
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Now, I am not saying that social media is wrong, or a waste of time (although it can be a waste if you let it become one), I am trying to say that there is a time and a place for everything. And I'm not saying that I will never be on social media, and give it up all together; but I will use it more productively and sparingly. I am definitely going to take more breaks; probably not a month long, but definitely more.
Now, if you have made it to the end of this long winded post, you deserve a reward. And that reward is this Bible verse:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
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| A bird catching a spot of rest during a rainstorm. |
{*Emphasis mine. All verses are from the King James Version.}
