I printed my entire blog to date the other day. I could not help but notice, as my printer spit out years worth of thoughts, dreams, observations and the occasional photo, that the concept of an internet fast came up more than once. Seems I get an overwhelming urge to do that from time to time and, once again, I'm feeling an urge to bathe myself in the peace of the Holy Spirit, apart from the dirt of the world.
The noise of social media in my head hits the roar of the never-ending stories of horror found on international, national and local news sites for a crescendo of sadness that I have to step away from. The emptiness and terror of it all folds my soul up into a malformed snibbet of something unrecognizable and it simply cannot breathe without hurting. I usually stop watching television too during these fasts. I dream of someday having the discipline to make them permanent, but I know I'm not there yet. I think sometimes I become a bit afraid to be alone with my thoughts. Like maybe if I get really quiet I'll find an empty spot that cannot be filled, kind of like when you look down and notice that your sweater has been attacked by moths when you thought it was safe in your drawer. Here's what God's Word, the Bible, says about that: "And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52, Holy Bible, New American Standard version.) I'm a follower of Christ, I can choose to open the cap of my soul and fold in His influences, versus those of the world.
When I go on these fasts, I still use the internet. Duh. It's 2016. But instead of trolling it aimlessly, killing hours that could be spent outside in the sunshine or with a good book, I use it for work, to look up information that I NEED to get ahead on a hobby project, or for directions to a place I've never experienced. I check in on social media for just a few minutes daily, so that I won't have a nagging thought that someone needs me and I'm not there to answer or to pray for them.
So, though I dearly love to let each and every one of you know every single time I get up to answer the door, you're going to hear less of that for the next couple of weeks. It will be less about me and more about my heavenly Father, who I am beginning to miss in the nitty gritty of everyday life. I need Him so desperately. Every second of every minute of every hour. I am tossing pearls out the back door while welcoming plastic at the front. Styrofoam, even. Enough!!! Excited to chronicle here all of the things He will teach me in coming days.
The noise of social media in my head hits the roar of the never-ending stories of horror found on international, national and local news sites for a crescendo of sadness that I have to step away from. The emptiness and terror of it all folds my soul up into a malformed snibbet of something unrecognizable and it simply cannot breathe without hurting. I usually stop watching television too during these fasts. I dream of someday having the discipline to make them permanent, but I know I'm not there yet. I think sometimes I become a bit afraid to be alone with my thoughts. Like maybe if I get really quiet I'll find an empty spot that cannot be filled, kind of like when you look down and notice that your sweater has been attacked by moths when you thought it was safe in your drawer. Here's what God's Word, the Bible, says about that: "And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 13:52, Holy Bible, New American Standard version.) I'm a follower of Christ, I can choose to open the cap of my soul and fold in His influences, versus those of the world.
When I go on these fasts, I still use the internet. Duh. It's 2016. But instead of trolling it aimlessly, killing hours that could be spent outside in the sunshine or with a good book, I use it for work, to look up information that I NEED to get ahead on a hobby project, or for directions to a place I've never experienced. I check in on social media for just a few minutes daily, so that I won't have a nagging thought that someone needs me and I'm not there to answer or to pray for them.
So, though I dearly love to let each and every one of you know every single time I get up to answer the door, you're going to hear less of that for the next couple of weeks. It will be less about me and more about my heavenly Father, who I am beginning to miss in the nitty gritty of everyday life. I need Him so desperately. Every second of every minute of every hour. I am tossing pearls out the back door while welcoming plastic at the front. Styrofoam, even. Enough!!! Excited to chronicle here all of the things He will teach me in coming days.
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