Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Facebook Fast

Okay, I'm going to be brutally open and honest here.  I have decided to partake in a Facebook Fast.  "What the heck is that?" you ask.  Let me explain.

The only reason Josh and I got a Facebook account was for our ministry.  This was before I figured out how to make a Josh & Tasha Via MUSIC page so we just went with a joint "Personal" page.  We soon found out it is a GREAT way to get and stay connected with people.  All sorts of people from past, present and even future people we may meet.  

For me this has become a bit difficult during these hormonal pregnancy days.  As a women one of my biggest struggles is playing the comparison game.  Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about...

I might see one of my good friends hanging out with what appears to be all my other friends and it makes me a little sad that I can't be there.  

Then, I see one of my high school buddies out having a good time and drinking way too much but having what seems to be the time of their lives.  Still single, with no attachments, and a huge smile on all their faces.  Am I sad that I can't be there?!  No way, but something begins to tug at me.

Then, I'll go to a fellow musician's page where they have all these HUGE events lined up and all these awesome gigs to play.

Then, I'll go to yet another friend who is a mommy to adorable little children.  She is hugging on them, kissing on them, and playing cute games with them.  She appears to be the perfect mom.  Then I totally feel like a failure as a mother...

Okay, you can see where I'm going with this.  It appears that everyone always feels like they have a ton of best friends, it appears like their life is more fun or better, it appears like their ministry or career is taking off better than mine, it appears that she is a better mom than I am...

You see, you can make your life look however you want it to.  Is it a bad thing to post pictures of you and your friends having a good time?  No way!  Do I think Facebook is a bad thing?  Absolutely NOT!  Do I ALWAYS get these feelings when I hang out on Facebook for more than 5 minutes?  Not at all!  It's just when I start to dwell on other's lives and blessings instead of my own.

So for me, right now I am working on being content with where God has placed me, being content in who God has made me and being content with how God has blessed me and it's hard for me to do that while I see just the appearances and the surfaces of other's lives.  When my heart is ready then I'll jump back on the Facebook train but for now Josh will just have to take my messages for me=)

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable
if there is any moral excellence and if there is
any praise - dwell on these things."
Philippians 4:8

8 comments:

Tony C said...

Go where the Lord leads...

Can we be Facebook friends when you're through fasting?

Actually, I've found several positive reasons to use Facebook over MySpace. It has wonderful ministry opportunities.

Shannon Bradley said...

Tasha, thank you for being so honest...those are some hard things to share. I know, because I experience the same feelings, on facebook, and especially on blogs...I think it can be dangerous. Not the blog or FB itself, but our hearts. Jeff Long recently said that ungratefulness always leads to sin/rebellion, so being ungrateful for what God has done in my life or being envious of others always causes my heart to sin. Thank you for sharing your heart...know that it has encouraged me. :)

Emily Jennings said...

Isn't comparison from the devil? Fasting is...I was going to say spiritual but that doesn't sound like what I mean. Anyways...I'm proud of your obedience.

Ashley said...

Thanks for this post, Tasha. I have struggled with comparison all my life, and I know it is not from the Lord. For this reason, a while back, I made the choice not to be on Facebook. Even the blog makes me question myself sometimes, as many of those I keep up with are written by stay-at-home moms. Every day I face guilt that I am continuing to work. But God is good, always.

Jennifer said...

Hey Lady! I just found you randomly! I too play violin, am a mom and worship leader! really appreciated your blog and where you are coming from. You are a sweety! Blessings on your fast!! I am contemplating the same thing!!!
*sidehugs* :)
Jenni

Sara said...

so good, tasha... very, very true!

i do it, too - choosing very carefully the pictures and "clever things" to write on my blog and facebook... it's hard to be truly transparent.

thanks for this - the verse was perfect and poignant to go with what you said.

Joy said...

I'd love to be a Facebook friend, too. I PROMISE to make you feel like a good Mommy because I'm totally not perfect.

And can I say that I completely understand where you're coming from? But remember- while you're following their lives and feeling that bad nudge, they also feel that when they look at YOUR LIFE.

Those single people who appear to be having the time of their life? They're lonely.

The Mommy who seems to have it all put together? She's under the strain of keeping up appearances while her heart feels overwhelmed. She's hiding behind pain and not being open about her true self.

The people with the big music gigs? It's not always the big gigs that are important. God moves in large and small circles. He has you right where He wants you- you're in His plan for YOUR life; while they are in His plan for theirs.

*HUGS* Let's look one another up when your fast is over!

Cheryl Nichols said...

Tasha, I just want to say as a mother of 5, grandmother of almost 5 and a friend of your family for well....around 16 yrs...I am so proud of you and Josh. I think you are a loving and caring mom...just like your mom. I have always seen the love you have for music in the way you play and in your eyes. You both are a wonderful example to a younger generation of what it means to Love God and Serve Him. My Sarah now plays the violin because of all the times she watched you and listened to you and Josh play at church.I praise God for what I have seen him do in and through you both. I know that it is hard for us not to compare our lives or talent to others; but I want you to know that He is using you in the small ways at home to impact His Kingdom and in other ways that you don't even see or know about.I love you and your family and am so grateful that God is at the center of our Friendship.
Thanks for sharing...Ms.Nichols