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

Love Her

 Seriously

 could

 she

 be

 more

 precious?

 Love

her!

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie

Truly Blessed

The room was dark, the bed cozy. Baby monitors hushed beside me. On the nightstand an alarm clock glowed as the time ticked away. My cell phone laid silent, a reminder that a new day would soon begin.

Behind the curtains and through the blinds were flashes of lightening. Every now and then a loud crack of thunder echoed in the monitors.

I snuggled in, wrapped the blankets tight as I watched the lightening and listened to faint sighs and hums of children sleeping.

They too were snuggled in their beds, exhausted from a day of play. Exhausted from a day of sunshine, excitement, and mischief.

Their rooms, colorful. Walls painted and decorated. Filled with toys, clothing, books.

My room is still dark. The sound of rain now pounds on the window. The room is also decorated. Walls painted, art hung, a pile of decorative pillows teeter on the floor in the corner.

As the mini-blinds glowed like never before and rain slammed everything in its path, I thought we are truly blessed. 

We are blessed to have our home, a warm place to sleep at night, full bellies, and, of course, clothing to cover those full bellies.

Along with our tangible blessings, intangible blessings come as well.

We are blessed with family, health, children, freedom to Worship.

As the storm intensified I wondered, as I have a million times before, why are we so blessed? Why did we get to live in America? Why are we the ones who are allowed to Worship freely?

Why did we get the job? What is a shelter like? How come we are not hungry? Why don't we have to live in a hospital? What does infertility feel like?

What is it like to face fear, rejection, worry, anxiety without God? What about guilt, abuse, drug addiction?

It is just amazing to me, how truly blessed we are. I understand that the world is filled with trials and problems, however, as a whole we are all blessed. Although a circumstance or situation isn't what you had hoped for, I still believe that there are blessings weaved throughout our lives. God has blessed us and will continue to bless us.

In the midst of the ups and downs of life, take the time to remember, we are truly blessed.

All Things Are Possible,
Stephanie

Best Friends

All Things Are Possible
Stephanie Miller

Darn Good Job

I looked at Grant the other day and thought "wow, we have done a darn good job." You know, we are responsible for his actions, his attitude. I thought, we have done GREAT. Grant wears clothes, uses the bathroom at the appropriate time, uses utensils while eating, rides his bike, blows his nose, takes baths, you know..... all the important things that kids do..... right??

It is amazing to look at him, to watch him. It is crazy to think that he was once a helpless newborn. He is now an independent, opinionated, inquisitive little boy.

When I gaze into is giant blue eyes, I think about the time and energy that we have invested in him. Often, I can't believe that we have created a person..... a real, functioning person.

It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks when raising children. Parents get so caught up on keeping rooms clean, brushing teeth, eating what is served, following directions the first time, etc, etc, etc.

Although these things are important, I believe that there are more important things that need to be taught while raising these little people.

See, I want Grant to keep his room clean, but more importantly I want him to learn why we need to take care of our environment. I encourage him to try new foods, but want him to feel the freedom to say that he has had enough to eat. I would like him to follow directions the first time that they are given, but want him learn the importance of using listening ears.

In the end, we are all parents, trying to navigate this thing called "parenthood." Some days are hard, some days are harder, and then there are (a few) easy days.

In the end, we have a job. To raise children, children of God, who will grow up to become respectful, hard-working, honest citizens. It is our job to mold and shape our children, as they will become leaders, educators, and one day - parents themselves.

I want to raise children who will make good decisions, when no one is looking. I want my children to show their peers empathy. I want my children to respect and take care of their environment. I want my children to be the best that they can be. I want my children to follow Christ.

At the end of the day, I could care less if Grant didn't like the pasta that I served. I do, however, care that he rocked Brooklyn's carseat while she was crying. I could care less if Grant didn't put his toys away the minute that I asked. I do, however, care that the put his plate in the sink after lunch. I could care less if he jumped around the house, threw a ball in the kitchen, and became impatient while waiting for Brad to play with him. I do, however, care that he helped me give Brooklyn a bath, asked to take his Bible to church, tasted broccoli at dinner, held my hand in the parking lot, put his pajamas in the dirty clothes hamper, and shared his toys with his baby sister.

As I gaze into Grant's big blue eyes, I think about all the things that he has learned, as well as the things that we have yet to teach him. I have enjoyed watching Grant make the transition into "big brother," I am excited to watch him turn into friend, teammate, leader, follower of Christ.

In the meantime, I will try my best to teach life lessons, instead of sweating the small stuff. I will try my best to focus on the big picture, instead of getting caught up on simple tasks. I will try my best to do a darn good job.

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie Miller

I Will Take It

I will take the uncomfortable.

I will take the pain.

I will take the hunger.

I will take the exhaustion.

I will take the unknown.

I will take the anxiety.

I will take the sleeplessness.

I will take the aches.

I will take the swelling.

I will take the cravings.

I will take the waddles.

I will take the headaches.

I will take the nausea.

I will take the mood swings.

I will take it.

I will take what you take for granted.

To all the women who are trying so desperately to experience pregnancy or who have experienced a loss early in pregnancy.

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie Miller

You Are The One

You are the one who watched fireworks light up the sky.

You are the one who picked out pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

You are the one who swam under a warm blanket of sun.

You are the one who enjoyed fudge in Mackinaw City.

You are the one who bounced on the wagon while getting our Christmas tree.

You are the one who fed birds at the zoo.

You ware the one who wondered through a corn maze.

You are the one who helped Grant learn how to ride his bike.

You are the one who rode on the train during a cold winters night.

You are the one who feasted on squash and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.

You are the one who stuffed stockings and wrapped gifts.

You are the one who walked in the sand along Lake Michigan.

You are the one who colored on the sidewalk with chalk.

You are the one who zoomed down slides at the park.

You are the one who curled up to a fire under a starry sky.

You are the one who danced inside of me.

You are the one who we saw on the screen.

You are the one who made the heart beat.

You are the one who has blessed us with your presence.

You are the one who has changed our lives.

It was you Brooklyn.

You are the one.

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie Miller