Posted in Family Life

Anyone who knows me knows what a computer nut I am.  I'd literally be lost without this thing because I use it for so much in order to better manage our home and activities.  The calendar is on here, the phone book, any information for various activities, my Bible study, friends, relatives, encouragement, and everything in between!  So, it would seem that it would be easy to get caught up in being on here too much and this is where I was.

I knew that I was on the computer too much and yet I didn't know how to stop it.  It's like an addiction!  Can I hear an "Amen!"?

And so, when I was talking to my best girlfriend, b, about this, she, too, had been made very aware of her need to stay away from the computer more.  She told me her plan and it helped me to formulate mine.  It may encourage you as well.

My BIGGEST excuse for getting on the computer was that I needed to handle something.  And this would happen several times a day as things popped into my mind that needed to be done - email this person, check on this date, and so it continued. It was BAD!!!  When the kids came looking for me, they walked in the direction of the computer!!  No joke - even my 10 month old! LOL

I tend to get sidetracked anyway and I would get on the computer for one thing and end up doing 100 other things and never get to the one thing that I needed to do!!!

I've now put a piece of paper on a clipboard and it is on my desk.  When I think of something that I need to do on the computer, I write it down.  That way I can check it off at the end of the night when I get back on the computer and I don't have to try to store it in my brain, only to forget it and remember it at 3am!!

I want to be the best Mama for my kiddos, and sitting on here all day isn't going to get that accomplished.  And so, b, and I talked out the plan and she said something about what we NEED to be doing is taking care of our kids.  So, I took that and ran with it and created a poster for us to post over our monitors.

I'd be SILLY to say that I could get rid of the computer completely, because it is a great tool when used correctly.

The Bible says "If your hand causes you to sin, cut if off.  It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell...."  Mark 9:43-47

And so I say, if the computer makes you stumble or causes you to sin - TURN IT OFF!!  That's right!  We are now turning off our computers throughout the day because even with our little signs up, it is too easy at this point to go to them.

Yesterday I was having a rather stressful day.  I don't think it was anymore stressful than the others as it was just random things going on and I was having to deal with them.  What I realized was the in the past, I have run to the computer in my frustration instead of to Jesus!!!  I was replacing Jesus with the computer!  What's up with that?????

The plan is this:  I get up and do my Bible study online in the morning, then I turn it off!  I pull my little sign down (quote at bottom) and move on with my day.  After dinner, when the kids are busy with another activity, showers, etc. then I can get back on here.  The computer stays off during the day.

The kids have had to turn it on to use it for Spanish, blogging, and Typing - all part of school, but they turn it off afterward.

I realized that my day is so full with the kids and just basics of keeping a house - HOW IN THE WORLD DID I SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON HERE????

The quote on the computer is made into a little poster type thing.  I found a picture of a potter working with clay to put on it because it fit perfectly.  And this is the quote that b and I came up with.  Use it if you'd like - we hope that it blesses someone else!!

The ONLY thing that I must handle is my children… to love, nurture, and disciple them!  Nothing else needs my attention more than this!  Everything else CAN wait!