Why I am taking a break from Facebook

On New Year's eve, I posted on my Facebook that it was time to simplify my life and take a break from Facebook, maybe even delete the entire thing. I have been contemplating this for a long time.
Over the past several months, Facebook has become this habit for me, maybe even an addiction. Yikes, that sounds kind of scary. But that is what it had become. It was so easy to push that little blue button on my screen and see what other people were up to, and as a result disengage with my current moment.
My time was never productive. Instead it took me away from being present in the moment I was currently living in. Being brutally honest with myself, it meant I was disengaged with the people most important to me; my husband, my kids, my family and friends. And for what?
I found myself looking at other peoples' posts and feeling myself comparing my life with others. I easily forget what a facade social networks are. We can easily edit out the messy piles of laundry, the children throwing tantrums, the money problems, job issues, and post pictures about how life is great.
It is one of my goals this year to be fully present wherever I am. I owe it to myself, and to the people around me.
I have logged in to Facebook occasionally, mainly to see new baby pictures. It is a way to connect, but I have significantly cut down on my time and my own posts.
It has felt good to keep my time limited. I am not sure if I will eventually delete it, but this feels right for right now.

Lessons from a two year old

A few days ago, I asked Jack what he wanted for breakfast. His response was, "ice cream!" As much as I love ice cream and would have loved to eat ice cream with him, I told him that we do not eat ice cream for breakfast. He was not satisfied with that answer. I asked him again what he wanted for breakfast and he again responded with "ice cream!" I told him that that was not a healthy breakfast and that we could have oatmeal, a smoothie or eggs for breakfast. He decided to throw a fit.

As I listened to him cry for ice cream, a thought passed through my head, this is what I must look like to God, it must be how we all look. I later began to think more about the relationship I have with my heavenly father. I began to wonder, do I really trust Him? Do I trust that He knows whats best for me? Do I trust that when He says "no" to me, or says, "not now," that He has a better plan for me, or is protecting me?

It makes me think about my job as a parent. It is my responsibility to care for and protect my children. Part of that responsibility is saying no to unhealthy things. I know what is best for Jack right now, and ice cream for breakfast is not what is best. Ice cream for breakfast is going to lead to a sugar high and a tummy ache. I don't want Jack to be sick, so I say no, we can have ice cream later. Our relationship with God is similar. Sometimes He has to say no to us to protect us from ourselves, from the things we desire that are not good for our hearts and souls. Sometimes He has to say no to us because it just is not time.

God loves us so much that He does say no. I love Jack and Henry so much that I have to say no. Not because I am mean or don't care for their desires, but that I love them so much I want to protect them and I know what will be best for them. When God says no to my prayers, or says "not now," it is hard, but I have to trust that He knows what is best for me. It means that I have to trust His will for me, even if I sometimes don't understand. I am thankful that God loves me even when I act like a crying two year old.