What a month so far.
The two major things I have set out to change, have not come to pass.
First was the foregoing of the Iphone. Mostly this was because of our monthly bill and in my mathematical brain, by going to a basic function phone, it was going to save us about 70 dollars a month, which for what I use the phone for, was worth the down grade.
Enter this months bill, only to find it is 10 dollars less a month. I chatted with a Verizon rep and I did the math wrong. A basic function phone does only save us 10 dollars a month. So, 10 bucks is not worth the frustration of a basic function phone, plus there are fitness apps that make it worth going back to, yup the Iphone. Despite what I said, I went back.
Then comes the Facebook fast. Once I announced I was fasting from Facebook, my son let me know that he was coming home this month, and Facebook is our major means on communication. So I made exceptions for him to only use it to communicate with him.
Then my beautiful bride was doing the fund raiser for The Musical Autist, and I wanted and felt the need to support her and spread the word, so I used Facebook for that.
Also my Exploring Post is having an open house next week and social media is a huge means of advertising, so I made an exception for that.
Needless to say I have been on Facebook much more than what I even anticipated, as well as have cruised the feed more often that I really should have. Facebook fast fail.
Matthew 5:37 is one Scripture that is always in the forefront of my mind. I always want to try and speak truth. To live truth, and say what I mean and live by what I say. These past few weeks I have not done that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not beating myself up over this, but I am learning from it. This also speaks to the parables about building a castle and making sure we have the money to do it. Or, going to war when we know we can win. We need to be wise in the planning of what we do, even in something as simple as giving up an Iphone or fasting from Facebook.
I find it interesting and actually a little disturbing just how much technology has integrated its way into our lives to a point we find ourselves needing to use it on a daily basis.
When my basic function phone wasn't receiving text messages, it was mostly from those who had Iphones, as my phone would not receive Imessages. My answer was simply to call me if you wanted to get me a message. This proved more difficult than easier for some.
I can't help but think where our world would be if we didn't have this technology? The ease at which we can zap a text to someone, read live feed news, and share our own lives as a live feed to others. Though we have the ability to open our lives more readily to others, are we really building healthy relationships and do we have healthy boundaries in the midst of all this?
Are we able to hold a face to face genuine conversation with someone instead of texting or facebooking?
How does having 24/7 access to live news feeds affect your life? I don't know about you, but I get sucked into it and it impacts me in such a negative way.
This month has been a horribly dry spiritual season. My spiritual disciplines have really fallen to the way side. I see my failures, know what I should be doing, but for some reason, I do not follow through or make changes.
I have had many conversations with Father, who I know hears me, but I do not have ears to hear. It is I that is the problem and not Him. He is ever close to me, I know it.
His life, His death, His resurrection, His grace, His love, His mercy, all for my horrible life.
There is no one else who would have traded their life for mine and I am grateful. I try not to let the guilt way me down and allow Jesus to build my faith through my failures.
(Let me be clear, I say horrible life in the context of claiming to follow Christ and not doing very well. My life other than that is pretty wonderful and could be so much better if I keep my relationship with Christ where it needs and should be.)
