One of my many statuses this week was about what Facebook means to people. Overall, I'm on board with the comments I received...the blessing of additional connections, sense of community, a chance to feel more a part of people's lives and encourage and pray for people. There are a lot of positive things that result from being part of the Facebook community and I’m grateful a friend talked me into it.

But I am feeling something negative...and it's not what you might guess. (You know, “It’s a time waster” and it’s narcissistic as in "Do you really need to know that I am at Spill the Beans? etc.) But that’s not the negative I’m talking about. Instead, it’s competitive statuses.

Let me explain. I scroll through many statuses a day and a high percentage of them (thankfully) relate enjoyable experiences, upcoming plans, and sometimes, meaningful concerns. But I'm noticing something in myself that I don’t necessarily like. When I read the wonderful and fun things people are doing, I guess I feel a need to also be doing or planning something interesting else I'll feel jealous that I am not having the same fun of others. “Yep, look at me, I’m having fun too!” I know, I know, that sounds silly. But I'm being honest here.

I can hear you now…”But Beth, you are always updating your status with fun things you are doing. You just had a massage for crying out loud. What’s your problem?” The problem is keeping it going.

For example, I have a weekend coming up in which, in my opinion, would have been a perfect one to go away for--for lots of reasons. However, because we didn't plan ahead enough, and with the recent replacement of our computer, have had to drop some money elsewhere, and mental overload, it may instead turn into a weekend with very few plans. I struggle with this. You see, I am the kind of person who needs things to look forward to and tends to enjoy experiences. I don’t have to have packed weekends (don’t like those either) but I hate having “perfect opportunities” pass by with simply hanging around at home for more than 24 hours (maybe 30) straight. I need a lot of variety because of my personality. However, others close to me tend to need extended unplanned time and time alone to relax. To have a weekend with no plans at all can be a relief and very refreshing to them. To have a weekend with no plans at all can be frustrating to me, especially if I’m scrolling through Facebook and reading “having a blast at the beach!"

I know contentment is a learned trait. Paul stated that he "learned" to be content in whatever state he was in. Would he have found it harder if Facebook or Twitter existed back in the day? @apostlepeter “Just met Moses and Elijah during a mountaintop experience” or @lydia “Purple cloth sold out!” while @Paul “day 37 in a dirty prison.” What do you think?

Maybe it’s not about Paul. Or Peter. Or Lydia. Or Beth. But it is about community. So, just share…and read…statuses and rejoice or weep or cheer or pray as or even ignore, as appropriate. Be willing to say, “@bethbeutler may be challenged by a quiet weekend at home this time” rather than “Wonderfully quiet weekend at home!” Because wouldn’t it be best to share, and know, the real person?

I thought so. Have fun at the beach. Really.

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