Why I Enjoy Social Media
This is a battle that I find myself fighting. Everyday. I have this love-hate relationship with social media, so much so that I have often thought of just getting rid of all of my accounts at once. Boom. Just be done.
Do you find yourself in the same boat? Ever?
But then I realize really, what a gift it is. Technology is something I don’t always keep up with, but thanks to a husband who kinda needs to keep up on it to stay “hip” with our youth group kids, it’s helpful.
But in adding accounts here and there, I find myself rather grateful for them because I am able to keep in touch with people that I would not be as easily able to, if it wasn’t for social media apps and various other avenues. And after realizing really, for me, what a blessing social media is, I am starting to embrace the changing culture that we are living in. Finally, eh? But don’t get me wrong, social media isn’t for everyone!
I can be rather old school sometimes – indeed, we still have a landline, which I know is becoming an obsolete thing. Why do we have it? I find that I get fewer spam calls on my cell phone and they all go to our home phone, which has caller ID on. Yup, I screen calls and do not feel one bit of guilt doing so. I do have a smart phone, but just last year, after my S4 started to not charge, we finally upgraded to a XS iPhone. Okay, and not going to lie, wow. Definitely not on the “high end” but it is nice! I have used it COUNTLESS times for maps, apps, deals, calls, texts, etc. But what I love most is that I can easily keep in touch with those around me.
For this stage of life for me, social media is something I am really starting to finally enjoy, instead of having this constant love-hate relationship with it. So what’s the hate? Yup, I got sucked into the mindless scrolling and checking. Don’t we all find ourselves there at times? But once I realized that I was doing it and didn’t like it, I started to change up some habits and it’s been very freeing. Yes, indeed I sometimes felt bound to it because I always had to see what the latest was. Can you relate?
I also was playing the comparison game. I was insecure, that’s for sure! And that’s why it bothered me so much. I would see what others were doing, wearing, going, etc. and thought oh, that’d be so nice! Well, I’m kinda over that. After all that has happened, I celebrate with those who are living life to the fullest and am thankful for the life we’ve been given.
Not to mention, I have so appreciated the avenue that social media has played during my whole heart ordeal. The messages of encouragement, the prayers being sent up, the ability to keep everyone updated, is truly such a gift.
But in learning to ENJOY social media, I have also learned to turn off notifications on my apps, and only check when I have a hot second. Do I scroll to get caught up from where I was the last time? Not always because I just don’t feel the need to. Plus, let’s be honest, Facebook doesn’t let ya see half of your friends’ updates thanks to their “algorithms” right?
What I have really enjoyed though, is “meeting” people I would have never met, if it wasn’t for social media. Some of the most amazing friendships I have, I am able to keep up with, thanks to social media. Some of the most amazing people I have met, have been through social media. I almost have to chuckle at that because shoot, 15 years ago I wouldn’t have even THOUGHT of this!
So what about you? What are your thoughts about social media? Do you have a love/hate relationship with it? Do you have a hard time setting boundaries for yourself? I once downloaded an app to track my social media app usage and to be honest, I wasn’t astonished and it made me realize that since I turned off some notification options, I don’t pick up my phone all that often “just to check” to see what’s going on in the world. I will fully admit that I am WAY behind the times when it comes to knowing what’s going on around me, but it is my stage of life. My life is in my home and I am so loving it. And I’m loving being able to connect and reconnect with people who I never imagined connecting or reconnecting with!
What do you love most about social media? What drives you crazy? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hi Kristen, One day my brother and sister and I stopped at your house wondering about what had happened to our childhood home and thinking that maybe we could see it. We were pulling into the yard and I was saying to my brother, Stop! I was afraid someone was going to see us, which is exactly what my brother wanted. My sister and I were way less certain of the correct way to pop in on someone (even if there is a correct way). But it was God’s plan that you were home, and gracious and kind and so welcoming that we all instantly felt relief, happiness and love. Now to the point about social media, I have had similar thoughts as yours but today when I think about Facebook and your blog and some of the other things I have learned I realized that God meant for us to meet, and God had a hand in me looking up a blog and reading it, something that I’ve never tried before, and to know that everything has come full circle for me. Meeting you and reading about you and reading your book has been a major event in my long life. I feel incapable trying to find words to explain it, but I truly feel we were meant by God to meet. I found Salvation in that house when I was thirteen. I went around the corner to Faith Reformed Church, my Mom worked as an RN at Lakeview Hospitsl, my father was the Chief of Police in that house and he also died while living there. The most formative years of my life were spent there and we all loved that home. I find it very satisfying to see that the home is again filled with love and family and God. Thank you for being you and thank you for taking care of my old home. God bless all of you!
Oh Vicki!! Thank you so much for your comment! I’m actually going to send you an email because everything I want to say, well, might be a book in and of itself :). So be on the lookout! It was an incredible blessing meeting you and your family, Vicki! And I hope we can again one day! Much love to you!
I tried sending an email, but it didn’t go through, so will just start here!
Hi Vicki!
Thank you SO much for your comment on the blog! I apologize that it has taken me a bit to get back to you…we are making a cookbook for our church as a fundraiser for our youth group and I’m in charge of it, so any time on the computer is spent typing in recipes, but I am just finishing it all up, so whew, I can move on with my life :).
Anyways, that day you stopped by, little did you know, blessed me and my family richly. I can’t tell you how many times Dan and I have said, “Oh, we’d love to meet the families who have lived here!” We are people who love history, especially when it’s something as personal as living in the home where many feet have walked. Because each of those footsteps have left a mark, have lived their life, with a story, which is what I am passionate about. Everyone has a story and this home, has a story within it too. And to know that Christ-followers have walked here before us, gives us encouragement too, knowing we are raising our daughter here too. I just love that you grew up going to Faith! I LOVED the stories you told of your dad being the chief of police!
It truly is an honor and blessing to be living here. We know there was a whole lot of love here and oh it’s been fun to see the character of this home which is what we appreciate the most. To know our daughter is going to grow up with memories here, is such a blessing! And for it to have a pool, is just the icing on the cake with our youth group kids! We do not make a lot of money, but for us, life isn’t about that. God has been faithful in so many other ways and by having a pool, He knew it’d be a great tool to do ministry with, with our “other” (youth group) kids.
I am humbled that the blog has been encouraging to you, Vicki! I write it for multiple reasons, first being for God, but also in hopes that others can relate in some way, but also as a journal for myself. Life just isn’t always easy and it often feels like we are waiting for the next “shoe to drop” with my health, as it has been such a roller coaster, but we are learning that our tomorrows are unknown. We know that in our minds, but living like it in our hearts is something we want to encourage others in too. We all have a journey of faith that is worth sharing, and I just hope through us sharing ours, that others will feel compelled to do the same.
It was NO mistake that God brought us together! I will NEVER forget the moment you all stepped out of the vehicle! Granted I didn’t know who you all were at the time, but the smiles and love you all had, even for us, people you didn’t know, just meant a lot to me. Please please know that you are always welcomed here! We are probably the farthest from “private” people, so if you are ever in town, please let me know. We’d love to have you over for supper or whatever. You’ve got a home here too :).
I just love how God uses simple avenues, such a social media, to connect His people. Mind-boggling, really! But I’m certain this is all for a reason! Thank you for your email! You will have to remind me where you all are from again! I know some from Texas, was someone from Florida too? I feel like we talked about so much and my mind is TERRIBLE, but again, just know you are always welcomed.
Thanks again for your comment Vicki and please keep in touch! Blessings to you and just so you know, I didn’t think it odd at all, how you “popped in!” It was just amazing :).