To be honest, when I first decided to fast, I wasn't sure I would make it. I crave social interaction. Most days that interaction comes in the online version. I don't like to feel "out of the loop." Then I started to wonder if folks would even notice I wasn't around. Of course that made me feel even more anxious!
"How in the world will my friends function without me?!"
It won't surprise you that life went on. I didn't log on. My friends survived without me. I got on without them. A few emailed me and said "I miss you" (which, let's face it, made me feel SO good!). The first few days weren't "hard" but I did find myself picking up my cell phone to check facebook and having to remind myself not to do it. It was hard to not click on the bookmarks while I was working on the computer. But after a few days I didn't even think about it. Then, an odd sense of relief set in. I didn't feel like I had to "keep up."
It did help that we had a busy month. We had Brian's parents visit for a week and had a wonderful time! Then, we had a few days before our good friends from Philly came to visit. The day before our friends arrived, I started teaching again. It's a fast track course at the community college with a new textbook so I have to spend almost as much time in preparation as I do actually teaching.
Now, the real purpose of fasting is to draw closer to God. So, you are supposed to use the time that you "would be doing something" (like eating or being on facebook) to spend time with the Lord. For me, my time on facebook and blogger were never large chunks of time. They were small snippets here and there. I actually felt a bit guilty because I wasn't being super spiritual and spending hours in prayer. But our pastor spoke on that EXACT thing during the fasting month. He said, "God doesn't want you to cram it all in. He wants you....throughout the day." So that's what I did. I prayed each time I thought about checking facebook or twitter or blogging. The oddest thing happened. I stopped thinking about facebook and twitter and blogging and started just conversing with God throughout my day. I created a new habit, and I love it.
I realized that without social media I wasn't just sitting and twiddling my thumbs. I NEVER had extra time. My day just got filled up with other things. I even wondered at a few points, "How in the world did I have time for all the social media before?" I realized that we MAKE time for the things that matter.
People say they don't have time to read a devotional. They don't have time to read to their children. They don't have time to exercise. They don't have time to meal plan. They don't have time to pray.
Make time.
Even though we were busy, January felt like it would NEVER end. I even told someone at church on January 30th, "well, back in January..." and she looked at me with a puzzled expression. Then she said, "Isn't it still January?" Sigh. Yes, January was long and by the end of the month it felt like it should be March.
My class is only 8 weeks long but feels like I've already been teaching for 8 weeks.
We all got colds but the girls recovered super fast. I think my crazy schedule made mine linger so it wasn't so fast for me.
I think all 3 girls grew at least a few inches since Christmas. They're growing so fast.
I hit my goal weight finally! (praise God!) It felt like it would never happen. I almost got hit by a truck while running last week. He wasn't going fast, but I was. :)
A week after being here, Brian's mom went to the hospital with a nagging cough and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer that has spread to her lungs. It seems like it hit so fast. She already went through one surgery and will begin chemo in about 4 weeks. The treatments won't be fast, but we're praying they are effective. Your prayers are appreciated.
We are thankful for our family. I'm thankful for a month of perspective and prayer. I'm thankful to be back online :D
I'm thankful for these three blessings:
People say they don't have time to read a devotional. They don't have time to read to their children. They don't have time to exercise. They don't have time to meal plan. They don't have time to pray.
Make time.
Even though we were busy, January felt like it would NEVER end. I even told someone at church on January 30th, "well, back in January..." and she looked at me with a puzzled expression. Then she said, "Isn't it still January?" Sigh. Yes, January was long and by the end of the month it felt like it should be March.
My class is only 8 weeks long but feels like I've already been teaching for 8 weeks.
We all got colds but the girls recovered super fast. I think my crazy schedule made mine linger so it wasn't so fast for me.
I think all 3 girls grew at least a few inches since Christmas. They're growing so fast.
I hit my goal weight finally! (praise God!) It felt like it would never happen. I almost got hit by a truck while running last week. He wasn't going fast, but I was. :)
A week after being here, Brian's mom went to the hospital with a nagging cough and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer that has spread to her lungs. It seems like it hit so fast. She already went through one surgery and will begin chemo in about 4 weeks. The treatments won't be fast, but we're praying they are effective. Your prayers are appreciated.
We are thankful for our family. I'm thankful for a month of perspective and prayer. I'm thankful to be back online :D
I'm thankful for these three blessings:
Really missed hearing from you. It's amazing how you can feel connected from someone just by reading their blog or FB Statuses.
ReplyDeleteYou are an awesome woman Heather, I see it just from the little big I've interacted with you. I pray God gives you the stamina and energy to do all you need to do.
Hugs!
-Liz
What a beautiful picture of the girls! :) So sweet!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Brian's mom. I will be in prayer for her.
Good for you for giving up Facebook for 30 days. Perhaps this sounds pathetic :) but I'm not sure I could do it. I don't spend THAT much time on it, but I do enjoy getting on there in the evenings and catching up. Good for you! :)
You definitely WERE missed, but I'm glad you had that month and I may need to take a month fast at some point too. So sorry about Brian's mom and I will continue to pray! The girls are adorable and I love this picture!
ReplyDeleteI really missed you - I kept thinking "When is this fast OVER?!!" ;) So glad you were able to draw closer to God. Congrats on hitting your goal weight too! That must be such a great feeling!! Sorry again to hear about Brian's mom. I hope she is doing okay. Praying for you guys.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am glad you're back. I fasted FB and twitter last January and, like you said, it was hard and good. I'll be praying for Brian's mom. I love and miss you, Heather.
ReplyDeleteyou were definitely missed, but still glad you did what you needed to do. So sorry to hear about Brian's mom :( Definitely praying!
ReplyDeleteI really admire you. Glad your back, I missed you terribly. Hence, the texting!! Nice work hitting your goal weight..yay for you.
ReplyDeleteyahooooooo!!!! She's back! :)
ReplyDeleteYou must read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Chapter 4 is about time. Amazing.
I really loved this post. Thanks for sharing your experience. I've had that same thought about fasting from my computer for just a week. I'm motivated by the thought of how much I could accomplish. :) As much as I enjoy the social interaction, I know what you're saying about it being a distraction from more important things - esp my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm grateful for his patience with me. Thanks so much for your example.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your mother-in-law. I feel like I know so many people suddenly affected by cancer. It is a difficult trial.