Thursday randoms <3
Whew! This week has wings.
We have been on the go a bit and I neglected to post for a few days so thought I better offer something up for those who may stop by.
Randoms are always a good choice. Since we are on a bit of a theme for Lent, I thought I would offer five randoms from my social media fast. Here they are off the top of my head.
Random #1
The time I notice the most productivity from the fast in a positive spiritual way is my morning devotions.
I have had a many years long habit of coffee and quiet time. Gradually, my phone has usurped a chunk of that time. It starts innocently enough. I check my texts and emails for any messages.
From there I do my French lesson on Duolingo.
And then I seem to have picked up the habit of checking Facebook and Instagram. This is a rabbit hole that sometimes sucks a huge amount of time in and next thing you know I was skirting on my time with God.
So for Lent, I pull out my stack of study materials. Sometimes I do my French lesson just because I can wake up a bit. Then I do my quiet time devotions.
They have been so much richer and I have followed a few Scripture trails again! Yay!
I also have a deeper prayer time as a result of the study time.
A good refresh for me.
Random #2
The other times I have noticed the absence of checking social media is in down time waits. Waiting for pickup of children, waiting to be called for an appointment are examples. Then there is the evening when my eyes grow weary from knitting or reading and I want to just be entertained.
I have found in these “free space” moments in a day that I tend to reach for my phone to pass the time.
Instead I have gotten up and done a chore I have been putting off, I switch from reading to knitting or vice versa and I think and pray more during these blank spaces between activities. It also brings me to reach out in real time to people to connect with them.
I realize that social media makes me feel I am “connected” to others but it is a vicarious kind of relationship instead of actually texting, calling or sending a note.
Random #3
There are several accounts I do miss in my week.
One is a woman from Ireland who just writes about daily life and rhythms of seasons. I like to check in with her on Instagram but she also has a blog.
So I signed up for her weekly newsletter where she sends a summary of her posts for the week. This has become a nice reset for me over the weekend. I can open a couple of her writings and appreciate her thoughts and perspective.
The account, if you are interested, is Our Little House in the Country.
Random #4
I have not been legalistic about the fast.
It is a daily stop to check if anyone has a birthday, I have checked on our team that is doing ministry in Kenya and I have shared some posts that are important for the organizations I support.
I also share the blog, respond to any comments left and I share a weekly post for the store where I work.
To me this is not feeding my flesh.
It is using the tool of social media instead of consuming it.
Random #5
I also miss some accounts I follow that show scenes with little felt critters in their miniature world of cuteness.
It is pure whimsy and the absence of it has sparked my own interest in adding touches of spring to our home, drawing and decorating journal pages and appreciating any little touches of charm and beauty that I see as we wait for the unfolding of spring after a very long winter.
I don’t worship this stuff. I see it as an expression of God’s lovely creative nature. I appreciate the gift of art to us in that it points to Him. How much more beautiful is His handiwork than what we can muster?
He reveals Himself through creation and creativity is His mode.
I would love to hear from any who have chosen to fast how God is speaking to you and working in your heart during this season of self-denial.
Isn’t it a wonderful thing that we don’t feel empty from doing without? Instead He fills us with Himself and His thoughts and ways.
Such a blessing as we journey through Lent <3