Welcome fall! This is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp, cool air and changing leaves. I love pumpkin everything, sweaters, boots, and the first fire in the wood stove. My husband said the other night as a storm was blowing in, "the winds of change are here". This wind was bringing much cooler temperatures. We sat and watched the leaves blow; still holding on for a few more weeks. I realized this is a perfect time for reflection.
I decided a couple weeks ago that I needed to take a break from social media. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to do this for some time, but it is always so hard for me. This makes it even more evident that it is much needed.
I enjoy talking to people, but I also enjoy people watching. Since June of this year, I have been doing a little experiment, I decided to watch other Moms when we were out and about. At the zoo, at the park, movie theater, even at restaurants when we were out for date nights. I recognized one thing....the same thing was everywhere I went. Parents on their mobile devices ALL OF THE TIME!
This was me until we decided about a year ago that it would be best to down grade and take Internet access off of my phone. In fact, I just decided to go back to a simple phone that was only able to make calls and text. This was very hard because as I mentioned before, I am a VERY social person. The fact that we are so attached to our phones and not our children, our husbands, and everything around us is very real and upsetting to me.
Even after I took away the access on my phone, I was still connected more than I should have been at home. My kids deserve more from me than a Mom who is so "in to" her Facebook and other social media that she can't even listen to what they have to say or look up for one minute to enjoy the beautiful picture they had just colored in their coloring book! This was me!
What did we do before all of this social media and Internet access? Well, I remember. We actually communicated with people on the phone or face to face. Moms didn't miss the little "sweet" moments that are only given to us for a short time.
I actually watched as a Mom and Dad at the zoo this summer, "lost" their toddler for a few minutes because they were so "in to" their phones that they didn't even see the small child wander off. When they realized he was gone, they were panicked. I had kept an eye on him so I could say, "he is over there, I saw him run off a minute ago".
Our Pastor has been speaking to us about time and how much each of us are given each week. When you look at the time we have, break it down into how we use it, it is an eye opening realization that this is all we have. We can't make more time or borrow time from someone else. What we have is all we have.
So, as I sat on my front porch watching the cool rain hit the colorful leaves preparing for a new season, I thought that is just what I want to do. I want to take some time to reflect on what has been this year so far and prepare for what is to come.
What has been? Well, our family had a wonderful summer. We have had so many things to be thankful for and enjoy. We have also been through a couple difficult spots with foster care and other hard things that all families go through.
What to prepare for? I want to be present in my children's lives. I don't want to look back some day and wish that I had spent more time with them instead of always focused on other things. I want to watch my five year old go across on the monkey bars at the playground for the first time (something I would have missed had I been on my phone).
I decided to homeschool my children for many different reasons, but the main one was to be able to enjoy time with my kids. I need to take the time to enjoy them, I need to get back to how it used to be.
It has been almost three weeks now since I deactivated my Facebook account. It was tough at first, but so worth it. I'm not sure when or even if I will decide to "re-connect", but for now I'm enjoying every minute of what God has blessed me with.
I challenge you, my friends to take some time to reflect. What has been? What do you need to prepare for? What changes do you feel you need to make to be a better Mom or Dad? I promise it will be well worth the time "away" from social media to figure it out!
"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." ~Carl Sandburg
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