Catching A Thief

There's a thief in my house. I just know it. I keep noticing something is stolen, and as much as I try to get it back, I just can't.

It's time. My time is being stolen, and I know just who is taking it.

Yes...facebook.

I don't mean to be there. I get on the laptop to do schoolwork (necessary), write a blog post (necessary), or research something (necessary), and then, somehow, before I even know it's happening, my cursor is in the navigation bar and my fingers are flitting across the keyboard. I don't even have to type in the whole word...my computer just knows. 

"fac" + enter = facebook

Once I'm there, I just go to look at just one thing. Or just tell one person something.

Before I know it, I'm scrolling mindlessly through status updates, pictures, e-cards, blog posts, and share if you love your _______.

I wish I could say I just do it on the laptop, but the thief is on my phone, too! 

I'm in the car with my husband and kids...I'll check facebook.

I'm watching a movie...I'll check facebook.

I'm in bed...I'll check facebook.

It's nuts.

It's almost as though my brain is so used to being engaged in multiple things at a time that I just can't simply concentrate on one thing. Instead of just being in the car with my husband and/or children and taking in what's going on around me, my mind has to busy itself.

It's sad.

And let's be real here, people: no one is holding a gun to my head and telling me to read status updates. The thief isn't really facebook, it's my own poor choices.

Right now I'm at a point where I want to be very purposeful and mindful of everything I do: talking to God, speaking to my children, eating, spending time with loved ones...let's just add facebook to that list. It's time I acknowledged the problem. That's the first step, right?

I won't say I won't visit facebook anymore. Like anything else, it's fine in moderation, but I've let it get out of control.

It's time to reign it in.

What thieves do you allow in your home that steal your time? Your joy? Your peace?

I'll leave you with a few verses today that I'm meditating on in relation to this. Do you have more to add to the list?

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

(Proverbs 25:28)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, 

but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,

 that you may be able to endure it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear

but of power and love and self-control.

(2 Timothy 1:7)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, 

but only one receives the prize? 

So run that you may obtain it. 

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. 

They do it to receive a perishable wreath, 

but we an imperishable. 

So I do not run aimlessly; 

I do not box as one beating the air. 

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, 

lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)