forty-day facebook fast

In 26 years on this planet, I have never participated in the season of Lent.  Growing up in a Southern Baptist home, it’s just not something we did.  In fact, I didn’t really even know about Lent until I was in high school, and had a friend give up chocolate before Easter.  I still did not participate in Lent when I was an intern at the Wesley Foundation – probably much to the horror of my fellow interns and mentor. ;)

I hadn’t even planned on participating this year… until I was driving home one night listening to the radio.  It was a Focus on the Family program, and they were talking about the upcoming holiday season and how to get your family and kids involved in what Easter is really all about.  One of those ways was to participate in Lent as a family.  For whatever reason, it hit me that this may be something I needed to do this year.  I realized there is something that I could sacrifice for a short (6 weeks?!? – not that short, but not that long!) period of time. Not to go on a diet… and not something easy to do (the radio host joked about giving up Brussels sprouts), but a true sacrifice. 

Facebook.

Dear old Facebook.

I’m coming to the realization that I know way too much information about other people’s lives.  Not good friends… people that I haven’t spoken with in ten years.  I do not know these people any more… but I talk about them like I do.  I will call my mom and say, “So-and-so said this on Facebook.” Or, “Did you know, [insert name here] is pregnant/engaged/married/divorced/living in a van down by the river?”  It’s just crazy.

I don’t think God minds that I have a Facebook account.  In fact, I would have to guess that Facebook fits nicely into the Great Commission.  Technology and social networking are making it easier for us to reach “the ends of the earth,” which we are supposed to do as Christ Followers.  But I think that God does have a problem when I treat Facebook like an idol.  Which, if I am honest with myself, I do.  When I spend exponentially more time on Facebook than I do in God’s Word, I’m pretty sure that counts as an idol, and I’m pretty sure He is not okay with it.

So at midnight my Forty-Day Facebook Fast will begin.  I will be deleting the app from my phone and tablet.  It’s my hope that each time I am tempted to scroll through my news feed or update a status I will spend time in prayer instead.  I am also starting a 90 day study on Jesus, and am very excited about this!

I will not be fasting on Sundays, and plan to continue blogging and using instagram.  (So if you see an instagram update on a Sunday - I haven't given into temptation!)

I am so very excited about this time of fasting and growth.  I know God has something great in store for me during these next forty days, and can't wait to share that with you all!

[organize chaos] closet clean-out (#1)

I started with my closet. No, it wasn't the first item I initially had on my list. But it needed to be done. Desperately. I love to shop, and had a shopping weekend with my mom in Branson a few weekends ago. The Banana Republic Factory Store is a little heaven-on-earth for me.

Here is the problem I have when I shop: I bring new items into my closet... But never take old items out. I still have items in my closet from high school. They do not necessarily fit... But I always kind of hope that maybe one day they will again. I also have items that DO fit, but are never worn. But because they DO fit, I feel compelled to hang onto them.

And so my closet is over-stuffed, unorganized and is in need of a little make-over.

I was fortunate to have Martin Luther King Jr. Day off school this year. I seized this opportunity to get busy!

 "Before..."

First I cleared the floor. I have a terrible habit of hoarding things in my car. Whenever I "clean out" my car, I usually dump everything into a bag, and then when I "pick up" my things in the bedroom, those bags get moved to the closet floor. Another interesting item on the closet floor: the Anheuser-Busch bag containing all of my possessions from my last job at JB Hunt. For six months all of my notepads and pens and the teenie beanie have been on my closet floor. Another addition is the bag-o-t-shirts. (This is still on the needs-to-organize list, and still on the closet floor.)

Floor cleared!

Once I could actually walk in the closet, I felt immediate relief. I then took away the flip flop collection that doesn't see the summer sun, sifted through the hangers, took out every dry cleaning bag and straightened out my remaining shoe situation.

Tidy shoes...

Goodbye Bulldog Beach Collection

Next came the clothes. I knew I had to let go. I didn't let go as much as I probably should have, but I managed to take out 2 trash bags full of sweaters, tank tops, flip flops and purses I no longer need.

(Had to bring in the step ladder to reach

the assortment of tank tops on the top shelf!)

I brought in a plastic drawer organizer I have had forever and filled it with shorts, swimsuits and scarves. I straightened out the hanging clothes... All of my tops are by sleeve length. I keep my outerwear by my jeans and dress pants. Skirts and dresses go together - skirts first, then dresses by sleeve length.

(I am terribly sorry if you are bored to death. I have to record the process! If you are still reading - wow! Kudos to you!)

and... "After - Take One"

"...Take Two"

..."Take Three!"

I still need to organize my t-shirts... (see above photo)... And take care of the bags I moved OUT of my closet but INTO another room. But overall I am happy with this first bit of progress!