Facebook

Facebook. Who could live without it? What would we do without it? I'm sure for some, Facebook has been life-changing. And of course, there are those who have walked away from Facebook - facing a life without status updates, messages, and friend requests.

Facebook has quite a resume when it comes to accomplishments. Facebook has launched small businesses, promoted colleges, added traffic to mommy bloggers. Facebook has been a platform for fundraisers and has raised awareness for a number of serious topics. Facebook has joined people from across the country to pray for those in need.

Through Facebook we have watched people's lives unfold - from babies just seconds old to a memorial page for a deceased loved one. We have watched proposals, weddings, and birthday parties. We have celebrated babies first steps and mourned the loss of pregnancy. We have watched houses being built and awaited surgery updates. We have watched missionaries spread God's Word across the world, as soldiers fight war. We have donated blood, organs, and our time to complete strangers. We have celebrated new cars, adoptions, careers, and weigh loss journeys. We have swapped recipes, craft ideas, and received parenting advice. We have requested prayer and requested friends.

Facebook has allowed us to reconnect with long lost family members and friends of the past. Facebook has given us the opportunity to stay connected with teachers, pastors, and college roommates. Facebook has granted us access to each others world, using only our fingertips.

As we celebrate the excitement and joy that Facebook has brought into our lives, we must also grieve its devastation and destruction.

Facebook has ruined marriages, families, and lives. Facebook has given bullies an opportunity to attack, it has given Christians opportunities to judge, it has allowed complete strangers to fight and verbally attack each other.

Is Facebook to blame? No. We are to blame. Facebook is simply the avenue that we have chosen to argue, blame, critique, gossip, and form opinions. We have jumped to conclusions, questioned motives, and taken words out of context.

Facebook has given us the opportunity to say what we want, when we want. We have the opportunity to hide behind the glow of our screens and reap destruction.  We express our thoughts and feelings in a way that would never take place in person, or in written form for that matter. For some reason, the 1/2 inch by 1/2 square, labeled with a letter on a keyboard is less hurtful or significant when used to type words - words that are damaging.

Facebook, when used properly is awesome. Facebook, when used properly can continue to change lives in a positive manner.

What is the "proper" way to use Facebook? That is a matter of personal opinion.

My challenge is that before you type, before you put your thoughts into words, before you slam-dunk someone, remember these words,

"O Be Careful, Little Eyes"

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see


O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little ears what you hear
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little ears what you hear


O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little hands what you do
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little hands what you do


O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little feet where you go
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little feet where you go


O be careful little mouth what you say
O be careful little mouth what you say
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
So, be careful little mouth what you say
(http://childbiblesongs.com/song-12-be-careful-little-eyes.shtml)

There you have it, a simple song taught in Sunday School class. A simple song with a big message. A song that should be used as a guideline, whether you are on Facebook or just navigating through life.

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie Miller