The Computer's Pull

If you're anything like me then you feel a magnetic pull to get on your computer. Whether, it's to check your email, Facebook or a favorite blog, it's this little voice in your head that says you might be missing something. My house is small so when I'm home I am always near my computer or iPad and I'm almost always tempted to just get on it for a second. While I think there's some great things about being connected with our friends, I think there is a downside, too.

I actually gave up Facebook for lent. While, I technically broke the lent when I started my blog and wanted all my Facebook friends to know about it, I did stay off the news feed for most of the lent. In some ways, it was nice to not be so connected for most of the 40 days. For instance, when I saw a friend, I actually didn't already know what she had been up to and I felt like I had better conversations. Also, I felt a little freedom from the computer. Even with those lessons learned, when lent was up, I was back on Facebook "staying connected".

I also think that Facebook can add some unnecessary pressure to our lives. A person can be anything they want to be online. If you are unhealthily comparing yourself to others and feeling like you don't measure up, then perhaps your time is better spend somewhere other than the computer. I fell into that trap when I first started Facebook over two years ago when I was looking at vacation pictures and home pictures from so-called friends who I actually was never even friends with and hadn't seen in over ten years. I finally realized how silly this was for me to be comparing myself to them.

Since I've started blogging, I'll look at other blogs and think that mine doesn't measure up. Or, that my home doesn't photograph like some of the other blogger's designer home. Once again, I'm falling into the trap of comparing myself. I realized about a week ago that it really didn't matter if my blog or home looks professional enough, really this is for my enjoyment and maybe a few people out there will enjoy reading it as well.

I'm not here to make anyone feel guilty for their time spent on the computer, especially us moms already have a tendency to feel guilt over too many things. Hey, I'm probably one of the biggest offenders here. Maybe what I'm saying is that I need to be a little more aware of the amount of time I am spending "staying connected". Because, I am a "people person" and I do have a tendency to "get sucked in" even when I am only going to get on the computer for a second.

I just don't want to look back on my life and think, wow, I spent a lot of time seeing what other people were doing, but was I really living my life to the fullest? I have made a push in the last year or so to live my life more intentionally, so I'm going to give myself a "heart check" in this area and make sure that my time even spent on the computer is spent more intentionally.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5:8-11