Social Networking

I set my 13 year old daughter up with a Facebook account this last year.  It wasn't long before it was the only activity she wanted to spend her evenings doing.  Then she began to snap self portraits and post them.  And excitedly exclaim  over the number of likes she would get.  Or become sad and insecure when she didn't get many likes.

I myself realized that I tended to compare myself to others on Facebook some days.  If my day seemed drab the happy posts of others left me feeling as if my own life kind of sucked.

I too began to look forward to the pictures I could post that portrayed the exciting parts of my life.  But I never wanted to post about the difficult times.

I tucked the iPad away in my closet this week (my 4 year old's favorite past time).  I deleted my daughter's and my own Facebook account as well.  Some days I forget and start to look for Facebook on my phone, only to be reminded that it's no longer there.  

Then I get to remind myself all over again that I want more.  I want to find solace in God's love; not whether or not others think my life events are appealing.  I want to get up off my butt and ride my bike.  I want to put my phone down and talk to my kids at dinner.  I want to ask myself the tough questions; not avoid them because they are painful and trying.  I want to be challenged; not become bound by complacency.  I want to be an original character; not a collection of other people's ideals.

I hope my children will also learn the beauty of seeking truth as well.  Though they may question my decision today (and tomorrow and the next day), I believe the sacrifice will also lend time to pondering who they really are.  They will be bombarded with ideas about what that looks like from their peers, society, marketing campaigns, etc.  Taking one factor out of that equation may not seem like it would be worth much, but I believe that every well-intended thought counts for something.

Although I may miss sharing things with friends and family via Facebook, I also know I'll be picking up my phone to personally update them more often.  In the end, I believe I'll start building deeper relationships with the people who matter the most to me.  So is it worth it?  Absolutely......