I wanted to know up-to-the-date info the moment it was posted. I signed up. Now, I love it! I see it as a tool for staying in touch with friends and family who live far away or have as busy lives as I have. We dont live in a "Little House on the Prairie" town, with everyone we know in the same city. I have had friends overseas and in fighting countries that can let their loved ones know how they are doing. I have dear friends, who have given the news of a death of a loved one. Prayer requests, which would have had to go down a line of numbers, are now instantly able to be seen and prayed for. Thanks, encouraging words, scripture, and pictures can all be shared at a touch of a button. BUT, some complain, "We'll, now no one stays in real touch any more." Really? Because I have 300+ friends that I KNOW love me, but would not be sending me pictures in the mail or personally calling me for prayer or just to catch up. Fact is, no one was staying in "real touch" anyway.
With that said, yes, Facebook can be used to say mean things, hurt others, or complain about life in general. Don't like those kinds of posts? Guess what? You can block them or ignore them or...a million other things. Most of the time, I just scroll past those people's posts. Some times I feel led to encourage them.
What about family? This is a recent area of contention in my extended family. If they see something on Facebook before they have personally gotten the information from me, they have a cow. The thing is, our family, like most families, has grown to unmanageable proportions. My children are now having children, and there are spouses of siblings and children and their families.
Yes, I do talk to my mother and father personally. Yes, I see my children in person and talk to them by phone or text if they are busy, which they almost always are. Other than that, it is not possible to call each and every person I love and want to hear from. I hate the phone. I hate talking on the phone. Don't know why. I just DO.
Most of my family and friends get Facebook updates and messages on their phone. My best friend, who now lives in another state, is TERRIBLE at staying in touch by phone. She's busy...working, raising a family, taking care of her house, but every once in a while she posts a picture or her kids give an update on Facebook, and I feel connected. Our world has shrunk, people. Our friends are global, not just local. We move from house to house, state to state, and even change churches, but can still stay in touch with each other.
So, in conclusion, this is what I have to say. I LOVE Facebook for the most part. I will continue to use it to share what is going on in my life, ask for emergency prayer, and watch what my friends and family are doing daily. If YOU have a problem with that, pick up the phone and CALL ME. That is all I can tell you to do.
If your feelings are hurt, because you saw something on Facebook before you heard it from me, be thankful for Facebook, because it might have been a day or two before I got around to a phone call. Forgive me. I never intentionally hurt someone. Still don't like it? De-friend me and get no information at all. I really don't care. I have more on my plate than I can handle on most days, and I make mistakes (lots), and I'm forgetful, and I'm a dork......on and on. But know this: mess with me on Facebook, say mean or hurtful things to me or about me, and I WILL remove you. Period. I don't have place in my life for hate and ugliness. I choose not to participate in it.
Kimberly
