So caught up in life I forgot to take a picture

Recently I attended the wedding of one of my best friends.  I took a million pictures because it was just a blast and I don't get to see these people often.  I love taking pictures.  I love posting pictures.  I love it when you like and comment on my pictures.
But I'm noticing there are some moments when the camera needs to be put away so I can just fully take in the moment.  I know the whole point of taking a picture is so you can capture the moment. But there are certain times when you miss out because of that.  For instance, I was at my friends wedding and she was just about to walk downstairs, and her Dad was going to see her in her dress for the first time.  It was emotional and exciting.  Her Dad was getting his phone ready so he could take her picture as she walked down.  And I just thought, "No, you are going to experience this through your own eyes, not through the screen on your phone.  Because this moment is once in a lifetime!"  I told him that, took his phone, and captured the moment for him.  It was precious and wonderful and he was able to be fully involved in it.
Not every moment needs to be documented in pictures.  I got engaged in 2001.  I had no smart phone or Facebook or anything to document it.  But I remember everything about that moment.  I close my eyes and picture exactly where I was standing with Matt.  We were on a train platform in Portland and it felt like we were the only people there.  That moment is ours.  It's like our own little treasure.  It is one of my favorite moments in life.  And nobody can see it except him and me and that's just fine.
In a time when life is saturated with pictures, pictures, and more pictures, let's not forget to put the camera down and view life through our own eyes.  Let's get so caught up in life that we forget about our phones and posting and tweeting and really live in the moment and see the person in front of us.

It's bragging

I've been off Facebook for 7 or 8 months.  I get too addicted to it.  Addicted to seeing what people are up to; snooping around on peoples profiles.  Addicted to the little red notification number telling me someone "liked" or commented on my post.  The other reason I deactivated my account is because I find myself thinking extremely judgemental thoughts toward people.  I once heard someone say, "when you compare yourself to someones Facebook post you're comparing your 'behind the scenes' to their 'highlights'."

Nobody posts a picture of themselves with their besties with a caption that says "So blessed to have the most AMAZING friends in the world!", with the intent to make me feel like crap.  But if I'm feeling lonely and isolated that day, that's exactly what it does.

Just like when I post a status that says, "My husband is the best!!  I came home to a clean house, a beautiful bouquet of tulips, and my favorite dinner.", I don't mean to make anyone else feel bad.  But if you and your hubby are going through a rough season, and you just got into a massive fight before reading my status, I'm guessing it might make you feel pretty bad.

The thing is, saying these things is not bad.  It's good!  But does it really need to be said for all of Facebook to see?  What is the purpose of that?  Wouldn't it be just as effective, if not more, to send your "besties" a card or a letter telling them how amazing you think they are?  And couldn't I just tell my husband to his face how much I appreciate him?

When we do this over social media it's bragging.  I'm sure this is never anybodies intent.  But that's exactly what it is.  I promise I am not casting stones.  I have been the 'Facebook Bragger' more times than I care to admit.  Any one of my friends could tell you that.  It's just not right.

I'm not saying all status updates are bragging, but so many are.  We were not created to blurt out every thought that comes into our mind.  People do not need to know about every good thing we are doing or everything going on in our lives.

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  Matthew 6:1,3,4; 23:12

Routine Spontaneous

One of the things I dislike most in life is routine.  This is funny, because most of my best friends are type-A personality.  The people who love routine.  Opposites attract.  I need them, they need me.

I love spontaneity!  I think that's one of the things that social-media takes out of the world... spontaneity.  When I was in high school one of the funnest things to do on a Friday or Saturday night, or any night for that matter, was to drive down Pearl street or the water front.  You never knew who you were going to run into.  It was a mystery and fun.  And if you did happen to run into someone, it was exactly that, running into someone.  Filled with surprise and your heart had a chance to beat really fast and be excited at the unknown.

Now days I can see someone at my 10 year high school reunion and they say, "Oh, we already know everything that's going on with each other from Facebook.", and then they walk off.  That really happened.  And while it was true, we did know a lot about each other's lives, we hadn't seen each other face to face in 10 years.

I love taking breaks from Facebook and then seeing friends and having them tell me about something going on in their lives.  And I can be genuinely surprised or sad or happy with them because I haven't already read their story on Facebook.

ROUTINE: Regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure


SPONTANEOUS: Natural and unconstrained; growing naturally; independent of external agencies; self-acting

How do you start the day?

Facebook has the incredible knack of giving me a feeling of failure sometimes.  I blame Facebook, but really it's in my own mind.  I see what people are up to and start to compare myself to them, leaving me feeling inferior and boring.

This is the problem with looking at Facebook first thing in the morning.  Does anyone else struggle with this?  It's a total addiction, second nature.  It's so easy to roll over, unlock my iPod, and click the FB icon.  Instantly I'm connected, but not really connected all at the same time.  And definitely not connected to my real life-giving source.

Now contrast this with waking up and opening up God's Word.  I am instantly connected with truth, with my lifeline.  The only lifeline that really matters.  I read Luke 15:21-24,

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  But the Father said to his servants, 'Quick!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let's have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'  So they began to celebrate."

And not only does this truth meet me in my Bible.  I open my e-mail and my daily devotional from Proverbs 31 has the exact same Words and truth.  And it says, "When you come to Jesus, or when you allow him to walk through the doors of your heart, no pleading or striving is necessary, only faith that his salvation and grace are your gifts.... He is watching, willing, and waiting to receive you."

God is so Awesome and all-knowing.  He knew that Luke 15 was going to be my reading today, and that the very same verse would be waiting in my e-mail.  He knew that I needed that today to combat those feelings of frustration and the mental battle going on inside of me.  

So how do you start the day?  Looking at others or looking at truth?