Lent. This is a relatively new thing to our family.... we did not practice lent as I was growing up. However, I believe that fasting is a very important thing to do and that lent is a deliberate time of fasting and focusing on the gift of salvation that Christ gave us. For the past couple of years each one of us in our family has given something important/something that we hold dear. Usually, I feel God call me to give up sugar.... I have a huge sweet tooth. However, this year I feel Him calling me to something different.... something tougher.
Computer. Blog. Facebook. What!!!! Really God?? Really?? What about all the things I learn? All my readers?? What about all the friends I have online?? YIKES!! As I have resisted giving up computer I realize that the computer has become a very ME, MY, I kind of thing. I spend time on here that should/could be much better spent serving my family, playing with my kids, reading to my children, praying, reading my bible, reaching out to others, helping at my children's school, and the list goes on. If I'm really honest (which is a little tough to do when confronting ones own weakness) I spend WAY too much time on the computer. The computer is a great resource for me.... I look up countless things from recipes to questions about my chickens, to growing potatoes to which president is on the US nickle. All kinds of wonderful and interesting things to be found!! I also have connected with some amazing Christian women and am encouraged, inspired and convicted by posts I read. It has been a tool for growth in my life, one for which I am very grateful for.
However, on the flip side I use it to ESCAPE the mundane responsibilities of homemaking, of life. I use it to escape the realities of real life...the parts that are not so pleasant..... like doing dishes and dealing with attitudes. I use it to COMPARE myself, to judge my abilities... this is both good and bad. Usually I end up falling short of all the cool things others do and have. The computer has become a too big a part of my daily life. Yikes!
Giving up the computer for lent will not be easy... I know that my flesh will be going through withdrawal... I will have to LEAN on Christ rather than on computer breaks. My energy, my refueling will have to come from HIM rather than gleaned inspiration from others.
I will miss ya all!! But I answer to the call and am going on a computer fast. I have done other fasts from the computer and they have been very beneficial in my life. I always loose 'readers', but I gain much more in my heart. When how many readers I have becomes too great a worth in my life I know it is time to re-evaluate. So, I bid you all a LENT farewell! Taking some time to FOCUS on our Savior and what HE wants for my life!!
Participating in lent is a growing experience. As always, why am I surprised that when we DENY our FLESH we are able to HEAR Christ more fully?? Why does my FLESH cry out so selfishly for the ME, MY and I things?? Maybe this time I will really get it!! My prayer is that during this no computer time my Spirit will be zoned in on hearing my savior! That I will GROW in HIS love!!
Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com
Man, it seems half my bloggy and FB friends are doing this! It's going to be very lonely in the Internet for the next few weeks!!
ReplyDeleteI won't be fasting, but I am going to be severely curtailing my recreational computer use and planning to fill that time with more time with God and fellowship with other believers. My "real life" friendships have really been put on the back-burner since we got hi-speed Internet and I've been quite convicted about that many times. NOW I'm finally going to do something about it.
You will be in my prayers, especially in the early days when the temptations will be strongest. ♥
Kudos! I recently cut Facebook from my life. I won't lie...it hurt! I had withdrawl for a good week. I felt really lonely, too. But then something amazing happened...friends started calling me to chat. I have had more true interaction with my loved ones since I've "been clean". It has been a blessing.
ReplyDeleteDuring lent you will be in my prayers. Leaving Facebook was hard enough. I cannot imagine being without the Internet completely! You will be my inspiration. I cannot wait to hear how it goes. See you after Easter!
AWE-some! May the Lord bless you as you lean into Him over the coming weeks! I just lifted up a prayer for you sweet sister! Big Hug, Tracey
ReplyDeleteI have given up Jaffa cakes for Lent...that's it.
ReplyDeleteI too spend what I consider to be too much time online, especially in forums and reading blogs. I have learnt a lot and connected with a lot of people that I wouldn't have done so otherwise, however, I think Facebook is pretty pointless and very upsetting too due to the number of animal cruelty stories and the like on there.
Here's hoping that your Lent fast is going well for you.
http://knittingsnippets.blogspot.com
~*Hugs*~... you can do it! I've been watching others give up the computer and worst yet... chocolate! I chose not to observe this year, and feel guilty after the fact, because I think the biggest thing I could give up is my computer
ReplyDelete