Facebook

Facebook hurts.
It all started with the slight cringe I would feel every time I would see a post from a friend complaining about pregnancy or motherhood on facebook. I would read the comments and my heart would sink a little more each time. How could someone complain so openly about sleep deprivation when I would trade my house for a sleepless night? How could someone complain about being "fat" when I would trade my size small for an XL in a heartbeat if that meant I was given the amazing gift of pregnancy? How could someone actually post the status "pregnancy sucks" when I have given up SO much trying to obtain this very thing? How could my CHRISTIAN friends be so cruel? How could someone stop in the midst of one of life's greatest blessings to pick up their phone or computer and take the time to pull up facebook, type in a complaint and post it to the internet for all to see? Aren't they embarrassed? Don't they know how their complaining is coming off to others? I think the answer is NO. After noticing this mommy complaining trend I started to get really sensitive to the whole facebook thing. Its amazing how personal loss can really open your eyes to the hearts of others.

I started to notice comments complaining about EVERYTHING. Complaints about jobs, marriages, cars, houses, clothes.....just about anything you could think of. It makes me very very sad that we may be morphing into a culture where complaining is cool! As Christians we are called to have empathy. We are called to love others. We are called to be a light in a dark world. We are called to make sure that we are not harming others with our words. Any situation in life can be hard. Parenting, working, losing weight, dealing with loss, ANYTHING! And honestly, its hard to truly put yourself in others shoes unless you have been their personally. But I think before we post things for the world to see we need to stop and think about the effect our words can have on others. We need to stop and place ourselves in our friends and neighbors shoes. As Christians, there is NO place for  publicly expressing bitterness and a lack of thankfulness when it comes to the blessings God gives us.

Before we complain that our "house is falling apart" lets try to remember that there are people out there that would kill to own a home. Before we complain that our husbands "left the laundry on the floor yet again " lets remember that others have been praying for a husband for years and would do just about anything to have a husband to complain about. Before we openly post that we are so mad that we have to work late lets remember that others may be in their 10th month of job hunting with little success. Before we so boldly post pictures of our new cars and expensive clothes lets remember that these very things that may not be a stumbling block for you may be a HUGE weak area for others. Lets not let our words and actions plant seeds of envy, bitterness and sadness in others. I know this post is a bit out of character for me but I just finally felt like it needed to be posted. As Christians we are called to a higher standard. We are called to love others and take captive our tongues. I know that not one person is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Me included. It is impossible to know whats going on with others and it is unavoidable to not ever slip up and post/say something that may hurt another. Believe me, I am the queen of sticking my foot in my mouth! It's just the way it is. However, I have now been personally affected by my "friends" seemingly harmless "status updates". I have been brought to tears by the hurt facebook can cause and have seen others suffer too. It makes me wonder if our words are causing more hurt than we even know. It has made me much much more sensitive to the things I say. So, as far as facebook goes I want to encourage you to stop and think before you push that little button. Let's think before we post people!!

"Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Matthew 16:23

It scares me to think my words could every be a stumbling block to others. Whether they are spoken or typed. Everyone has hard days. Everyone needs to call up a friend and just vent about how things just STINK sometimes. Even good things can be hard and just downright suck at times! But lets not post it for the world to see. Emotion cannot be conveyed through typed words on a screen.

So here is my challenge to you! Next time you feel compelled to post how awful dealing with a sick baby is or how mad you are at your hubby, use facebook to thank God for the cuddle time that comes along with a sick baby or thank him for your much needed girlfriend around the block that helps you take your mind off things. Then, log off, call your mom or close friend and let it all loose while you eat a bowl of ice cream!! :)

Bottom line, just be mindful of others. Be mindful of the fact that words can hurt. And be mindful of the fact that you are sharing your thoughts with thousands of people when you post something. :)

Ok that's the end of that. Goodnight! :)