Facebook guilt

   I love Facebook! I check it often throughout the day. It's nice being able to keep current with everyone's lives even from miles away. I am able to see not only the goings on of people I am close to, but also people that I know, but wouldn't necessarily be checking in with. Let's be honest here, it's a great way to be nosy without the whole world knowing! lol!
   People are entertaining. It's a fact. My dad is a people person. When he gets bored sometimes he goes to Walmart just to people watch, because they are just that entertaining! So, Facebook is great! I actually get frustrated when the status updates slow down and it's been hours since anyone posted anything. Yeah, yeah, people are working and stuff I get it, but I need something to do with MY time. So keep it coming FB peeps!
   If we are keeping it real then we are all going to have to admit that we use Facebook to judge people. Don't get that look on your face, you know you do it, too! I consider myself to be a very nice person. I love the Lord and know that I am to love all his children no matter what. I know that it is wrong to gossip, look down on others, and to criticize. Buuutttttt, I'm guilty of Facebook judgement, too!
   It's hard to keep your reactions appropriate sometimes. People can be very unwise with their posts! It's like they are testing me!! Now, given the fact that I was raised in a very strict Christian home has helped. I try only to "gossip" with my twin sister. Is it really gossip though when you keep it in the family?? Reeeaallly??? Okay, well anyhow, I'M GUILTY!!!
    While some people on Facebook are making it really easy to feel great about yourself and how your life is going, there's always the one or two that just make you feel like a failure! I'm a stay at home mom of three kids. I think my kids are great and am usually pretty confident that I am doing an adequate job as their mother. Then I check my Facebook and there it is. Guilt! Guilt in the form of a FB friend (also a stay at home mom) who is posting something really sweet about her family. There are pictures of the creative thing she did with her kids that day. Something involving crafts or balloons or paint. She's telling a heart tugging tale of a story book moment she had while putting precious to bed that night. Even better, she is sharing a sweet comment her strong God fearing child made in the car on their way to pick wild flowers for their sick grandma. I look away from her FB page over to one of my children who is staring at Phineas and Ferb on the TV. I feel the need to say something to him as I pass him on the way to the laundry room, but I stop myself because he is zoned out and if I speak to him he may start talking to me and even ask for something. No, I'll wait. I'll say something to him later and we will share a storybook moment, too. But not now, cause I want to be left alone right now.
   I was sharing one of those "wow, she is amazing" moments with my sister the other day on the phone. "There were pictures on Facebook and everything, I said, feeling inadequate again as a mother." My sister cracks me up with her response!! She says, "Yeah, I saw it. It was cute. I mean, does everything have to be such a big production, though?"  Too funny!
   So, whether you use Facebook to entertain yourself or really keep up with family friends I just offer one piece of advice.  Don't fall into the FB guilt trap. Judging, others or yourself, will bring nothing but guilt. Guilt leads to eating chocolate and eating chocolate leads to adult acne and obesity. So see where this could go!! BEWARE!!