Vacation!

I have decided to take a vacation from Facebook. I recently have had an incident where my feelings were hurt by some close friends through a Facebook post and some comments. I don't know if any of it was MEANT to be hurtful, but they were clearly not thought out before they were typed.

I have been praying hard about this situation and strongly feel that God is asking me to let go of Facebook and give Him more of my attention. I am looking forward to the freedom this will provide me. We have enough to worry about with Zachary right now, the last thing I need is hurt feelings over internet posts.

I read this on my friend Emily's blog recently and truly think it's a great reminder for everyone:

Something to ask yourself:

Before you post a Facebook status, before you write a post on Tumblr, before you tell someone about what so and so did to you, before you tweet about how much you hate when people ________, ask yourself:

"What is my motivation for doing this? Is it for attention or is it out of frustration? Am I looking for sympathy? Do I want people to think a certain way about me?" 

Emily also had a great reminder - maybe you should be talking to God about what's going on instead of posting it on your news feed.

I try very hard not to complain. ESPECIALLY on Facebook. I have a beautiful life, a full life, a blessed life. Sure we have struggles, we're not perfect, I have lots of things I could complain about. But I have so many more things I can rejoice about. I don't want people to feel sorry for me for what we're going through with Zachary, I want them to rejoice through our triumphs. I focus on the good in that situation and in all situations in my life. So, when people complain on Facebook I have a really hard time with it. Nathaniel and I actually have Facebook friends who are married that complain about their spouse on Facebook. We've even seen arguments between them over public posts. Unbelievable! I honestly think the healthiest thing you can possibly do for your marriage is to never be caught talking bad about your spouse. Which leaves one of the unhealthiest things as talking about them in front of hundreds of people.

My mom raised me to ask myself 3 questions before I speak:
Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?

The thing that's really upsetting about Facebook, is that you have a lot more time to think about what you are going to post then if you were having a verbal conversation. What you say online is much more intentional than a quick reaction to a situation on the spot.

So I urge you all to think before you type. To pray before you post. To ask yourself: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?

I'm not sure how long this hiatus will last, but in the meantime I'll be updating our blog regularly for anyone who wants to keep up with us. I also can be reached on my personal e-mail address: mandimouw@hotmail.com

Mark 12:30-31
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second [commandment] is: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these"