Facebook Fast

Wednesday, December 5, 2007, I went without facebook for a full 24 hours. I know - crazy.

Even though I named it my "facebook fast" it wasn't really a fast in the sense of "I'm going to give something up in order to devote more time to praying and show my dependency on God." I'm all for that kind of fast, that's just not what this was. This was just to prove to myself that I could do it. And let me tell you, it was harder than I thought it would be.

I learned though that I can live without it ... and get more done in the process. :)

Distraction is the name of the game

After spending almost my entire weekend with a 16-month-old I learned something very important - in order to be a good mother (or babysitter in my case) you have to perfect the art of distraction. Crying, screaming, tantrums, wanting something they can't have - toddlers can be distracted from all of it if you find something that's more important to them. For instance - a container of paper clips and a pad of pink post-it notes are way more fun than playing on the keyboard of a computer (at least for a little while) and that glow up snowman holds attention just long enough to get the car seat buckled. I think I may have finally gotten the hang of it.

This whole distraction-theory got me thinking about distraction in other parts of life. Toddlers aren't the only ones that are distracted easily. Take for example me during a normal worship service. How many things do I think of that have nothing to do with God? It's horrible how much work it is for me to focus only on God.

There's also purposeful distraction. I don't know if anyone else does this, but when there's something I don't want to face I distract myself by starting a new project or going out with friends. Anything that will keep my mind off of whatever it is I don't want to think about. I'm especially good at distracting myself when it's God I have to face. All of a sudden there's a million other things I should be doing.

I guess all I'm trying to say is that distraction is a part of our lives even now and when it's part of our spiritual lives it becomes a problem.

Be aware - distraction is out to get you!

Gregg being sufficiently distracted ... for the moment. :)

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. Every part of it. I love the season it's in. I love the food. I love the parade. I love the family atmosphere. I love that most of the college kids come home. I love that it begins a season that changes America - a season of giving. And I love the whole concept - a day set aside simply to give thanks. Who would think that in a society that is constantly reaching and grabbing for more we would take the time to stop and give thanks?

This got me thinking though - who are we thanking? I know that as Christians we thank God, but who does the world thank? Themselves? The government? Who do you credit for the blessings you have when you don't believe in God? I guess a lot of people do believe in God - they just don't acknowledge Him until the Holidays.

It's sad really - living without God. How do these people make it through the day? How do you deal with the ups and downs of life without the knowledge that God knows what's going on even if you don't? Where's the peace? The joy? They don't have any do they? People that live without God ... they don't have peace and joy, at least not the real thing.

What are we going to do about that?

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."