Blessings through Facebook

Over the past several days, I've seen the power of facebook on how it can be a blessing. Oft times facebook gets a bad reputation. Many use it, but at the same time denounce it as an "evil" in their lives. Some take 'breaks' from it, 'de-friend' individuals over posts, and some have even deactivated their account due their annoyance of others. Yes, there are many times I get frustrated on some of the things people post on Facebook.

There are others that "hate" it. Some are even afraid of Facebook. To me... I see it as a tool. Just like email, letters, and phone calls, it is the modern way of sharing the news of you life and what's going on. It is what it is: Social Networking.

Growing up, we used to send out news once a year to friends and relatives through our Christmas newsletter. This let them know what was going on. Other times, we'd write letters or pay long-distance to make phone calls. Then along came email. We were more connected. We could then find out what's going on much quicker and sooner. We were then sending daily jokes, forwards, and chain-mails. Scanners and digital cameras made the scene and we were sharing those.

By the time I reached college, blogs and MySpace hit. What a better way to share what's going on with our friends and connect with them. Cell phones started getting more common, and after 9/11, they were able to take pictures! I used to send out a weekly email to those on a list to keep them informed of our lives, but then moved to a family blog. Instead of filling up everyone's inbox, you can now check it out whenever you want.

Facebook has been our way of sharing news and recent pictures of our family. I've also been able to use it as my outlet for my strange humor. Sometimes I'll make posts of my own thoughts that have offended others... but it wasn't intentional. 

Anyway... why do I like Facebook? It keeps me updated with friends and family. Those I care about. Just recently, it's been used as an awesome prayer request news outlet for friends! There are several that have posted on Facebook on their needs of prayer. What a blessing it has been to be able to reach out and add their requests when talking with God. Not only that, we've been able to see how He's worked in the situation!

Then, I've heard from friends how others' posts have helped them throughout the day. Sometimes I wonder if more people focus on the negativity of Facebook, and we hardly hear the positive. Now there's a thought...

I just think that I too can make a difference from time to time in what I share and post. Can you?

~Matt