Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, texting, Snapchat--these are just a few of the social media outlets that are consuming our time, thoughts, and ultimately our generation. If we have a break in our day while waiting for something, we quickly scroll through Facebook--never mind that it's the tenth time that day. Consumed and entertained by what other people are doing in their lives, we're often not taking the time to live our own lives. We get so busy filling every gap and pause in our day that we don't have time to be still, to enjoy a brief moment, or to listen to God's gentle prodding for us to put the phone down and talk to someone in the waiting room next to you.
Sometimes we are taking a picture and telling the world about our moment, instead of savoring it. Sometimes we even do certain things just so we can post about it and brag about ourselves in a not-so-obvious way. Do you ever cook an amazing meal or do something incredible for a family member or spouse without telling anyone?
If you think this media consumption doesn't affect you then let me ask you this question: what do your family get-togethers, date nights, dinners, or hang-outs with friends look like lately? Is everyone on their phones? We have become a culture so engrossed in being entertained by what everyone else is doing that we don't have the time or the energy to concentrate on whats important. For instance, in the minutes or hours that I might spend on Facebook each day I could write several hand-written notes of encouragement or read a book, among many other productive things. Now don't get me wrong, I am a BIG fan of social media and how it can be used for good and for the glory of the Lord, but I think that many people, including myself, fall into the trap of addiction with it. The Lord had been convicting my heart over several months regarding media. I kept making excuses and telling myself that I'm not on it that much and that it's not taking away from my family time or my time with the Lord. I was making excuses to avoid the fact that the Lord was convicting my heart and calling me not to take a break or a fast but to challenge the way our family does media in general. He was calling us as a family to a different standard and a different way of thinking and acting. He was calling us to a balance After confessing this before the Lord as a family, we have begun to ask Him what this media detox should look like in our home. I use the word detox because we aren't getting rid of it, we are just trying to balance and learn to crave something better instead. Is your family consumed? If not, then what are you doing to be intentional to not to let it creep into your family? If you are consumed, what are you going to do as a family to find balance? Honestly, what consumes your thoughts and your days? What or who gets your quiet moments?
We aren't pretending to have it all figured out, we are just finally walking in obedience where the Lord is challenging our family. We are asking Him to show us what this looks like and give us the strength and discipline to follow through. If we have a little here and there its not going to ruin our appetite but if we feast on it all day long our cravings change. We are asking the Lord to change our cravings and teach our hearts to crave more of Him instead. I hope you hear my heart on this subject, and are also challenged and can walk alongside our family as we make this commitment.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Making it through Survivalville
Here are a couple of tips if you are wading through the waters of sleepless nights, sickness, trials or another difficultly that is placing you in the city of survivallville. I feel like our family just got out of this season and then sometimes I think we have other weeks where we are visiting there again, so these are just practically things that helped me along the way.
1) Set goals for each day. Even if it is only 3 little goals and one of them is getting out of bed and getting dressed, it will help you to have something to work towards in the day and will make you feel productive even if you just accomplished one little thing.
2) Let things go that don't matter. If you were up 6 times last night and feel like you are barely awake and need to nurture and take care of you little one , then its ok that your house doesn't look perfect and you don't have gourmet meals. I remember my husband telling me that he would much rather me get a nap and be rested then have the house looking great. Let your pride and perfectionist go and love on your baby and take a nap WITHOUT guilt. The house will always be there, and will always need something but right now you just need to make it through the day without too many breakdowns ;)
3) Receive help. If you are anything like me and you struggle with pride then this one is a toughy. When you are exhausted and can barely function and a family member or a close friend offer to help in some way, its ok to take them up on it. People want to bless you and want to help you get through this season. During our 8 months of very difficult sleepless nights, my mother called me one morning and suggested that I bring my sweet baby over to her house and just take a nap there. I took her up on it and she took care and loved on my little mister and I got a wonderful and MUCH needed nap which in turned helped me be a better and more rested mother. Its ok to admit you don't have everything together and that sometimes you need help.
4) Be honest of your struggle. As believers I feel like we can pretend that we always have it together, and then we crowd out the room with yourself and leave no room for the Holy Spirit and other believers to encourage us. As you are honest of your difficult time you will be amazed that you are not the only person going through it. There is comfort and encouragement knowing you are not alone. During our difficult eating and sleeping trial I had a sweet friend who was also having sleepless nights and we were able to pray for each other and send texts of encouragement along the way.
5) Don't numb it with media. Yes you are tired. Yes its easier to scroll through facebook then read your bible or just sit and hear from the Lord or just rock your baby without the phone in your hand. But too much social media can cause you to have a much more difficult time as it can sometimes breed jealousy, discontentment and suck your precious time where you could rest. Be cautious and seek accountability from your husband or close friend if this is something that you struggle with.
6) Cry out to the Lord and lean on HIM for everything! He is our source of strength. Scripture even says the youth grow tired and weary but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength...... (Read Isaiah 40:30-31.) So ask the Lord for strength and make sure during this difficult time that you are asking the Lord to teach you and learn to depend on Him. During our MANY sleepless months I felt like the Lord would speak so clearly to show me my sin and my desperate need for Him.
Hope this is an encouragement to everyone in survivallville! Your not alone and this soon will pass but don't grudge through it with contempt wade through with hope.
1) Set goals for each day. Even if it is only 3 little goals and one of them is getting out of bed and getting dressed, it will help you to have something to work towards in the day and will make you feel productive even if you just accomplished one little thing.
2) Let things go that don't matter. If you were up 6 times last night and feel like you are barely awake and need to nurture and take care of you little one , then its ok that your house doesn't look perfect and you don't have gourmet meals. I remember my husband telling me that he would much rather me get a nap and be rested then have the house looking great. Let your pride and perfectionist go and love on your baby and take a nap WITHOUT guilt. The house will always be there, and will always need something but right now you just need to make it through the day without too many breakdowns ;)
3) Receive help. If you are anything like me and you struggle with pride then this one is a toughy. When you are exhausted and can barely function and a family member or a close friend offer to help in some way, its ok to take them up on it. People want to bless you and want to help you get through this season. During our 8 months of very difficult sleepless nights, my mother called me one morning and suggested that I bring my sweet baby over to her house and just take a nap there. I took her up on it and she took care and loved on my little mister and I got a wonderful and MUCH needed nap which in turned helped me be a better and more rested mother. Its ok to admit you don't have everything together and that sometimes you need help.
4) Be honest of your struggle. As believers I feel like we can pretend that we always have it together, and then we crowd out the room with yourself and leave no room for the Holy Spirit and other believers to encourage us. As you are honest of your difficult time you will be amazed that you are not the only person going through it. There is comfort and encouragement knowing you are not alone. During our difficult eating and sleeping trial I had a sweet friend who was also having sleepless nights and we were able to pray for each other and send texts of encouragement along the way.
5) Don't numb it with media. Yes you are tired. Yes its easier to scroll through facebook then read your bible or just sit and hear from the Lord or just rock your baby without the phone in your hand. But too much social media can cause you to have a much more difficult time as it can sometimes breed jealousy, discontentment and suck your precious time where you could rest. Be cautious and seek accountability from your husband or close friend if this is something that you struggle with.
6) Cry out to the Lord and lean on HIM for everything! He is our source of strength. Scripture even says the youth grow tired and weary but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength...... (Read Isaiah 40:30-31.) So ask the Lord for strength and make sure during this difficult time that you are asking the Lord to teach you and learn to depend on Him. During our MANY sleepless months I felt like the Lord would speak so clearly to show me my sin and my desperate need for Him.
Hope this is an encouragement to everyone in survivallville! Your not alone and this soon will pass but don't grudge through it with contempt wade through with hope.
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