One Step At a Time

42 Days and Counting.  That is how long I have been away from the world of Facebook.  When I first tallied up the days I thought, "Whoa, 42 days!  That's a long time this is going great!" However as the day has continued I have thought, "Wait, that means 68 days to go!  That's a long time!"  

My Facebook Fast has been quite the journey and I'm sure it will continue to be.  Here are some changes I have noticed so far: 

• I am not as distraught over my "frizzy" hair that is a result of the humidity and Haitian living because I am not comparing myself to pictures of friends in the U.S. who have slightly different conditions.
• I have become much more resourceful with my "free time."  I am reading more: books, magazines, and blogs.  I find my mind enjoys purposeful reading not mindless screen gazing. 
• My mind does not race near as much as it does when I'm in the Facebook world.  I am living in the here and now embracing what God is placing on my plate for the day, not surfing pictures and status updates for hours and walking away from the computer feeling overwhelmed and distracted.

Trey and I went on a hike yesterday with a team from Ohio down to the ravine.  As I walked, I thought a great deal about the journey this "Facebook Fast" is taking me on.  After completing the slippery trail down the mountain side I embraced our break in the valley.  There were lose rocks and very steep slides as we walked to the ravine.  We enjoyed a break at the bottom of the mountain, and of course a photo opp.

 However, according to Newton's laws of motion, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction..."  The same is true in the world of hiking, I discovered, "For every downhill slope there is a steep uphill climb..."

 

This is where I find myself today.  The decision has been made and I have walked/scooted/slipped my way through the first part of my Facebook Fast, but the climb is not yet finished.  There were several "roadblocks" that I encountered yesterday on our hike.  When these roadblocks occurred I would have to stop, look around, and discover where I was supposed to place my foot for the next step.

Each time I was truly amazed that there was always a place for me to take the next step.  It often resulted in splashing through some water, sinking in some mud, or simply laughing at my "gracefulness."  The moments I felt stuck, I would look a few feet in front of me and there would be a hand of a friend who had just finished the same path I was walking, eager and ready to pull me through.

My heart praised my Savior as I enjoyed this outting and was so visibly reminded of His faithfulness.  In spite of my failures, He is working through my willing heart.  He is placing others around me to add that extra "pull" when I need it.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."  Vigilance = alertness, attention, concern...I pray this small step of taking a break from Facebook is an act of paying close attention to my heart and seeking to direct it to my Savior.

May the journey continue!  The climb is still on...roadblocks are expected but victories are anticipated.

-If you are interested in more articles about the influence of Facebook/Pinterest and other media influences check out:  http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/category/current_series/

I stumbled across these articles a few days ago and have been very encouraged!