How Many "Likes" Can I Get?

I have this love/hate relationship with social media.  I love blogging. I love connecting with others.  I love to spread encouragement, laughter, and the message of Jesus through technology.

But I hate the anger that is spread through social media. I hate the negativity.  I hate the finger pointing and blaming.

Most of all.....

I hate how sometimes I forget why I click post.

Way back when I started this blog, I wanted it to honor and glorify Christ.  That was the deal I made with God (Quit laughing. I know I'm not the only one who makes deals with God.)

I try to be real.

Like the time I ruined my witness during Pee Wee baseball.

Do you remember the time I defended public schools?

Or when I was feeling vulnerable and left out after returning to work after maternity leave?

Oh, and there was that time I experienced my first deployment as a military wife.

And let's not forget about my miscarriage.

I wrote those posts and clicked Publish to share, to encourage, to mend the soul.  Many times, my posts are for me and no one else.  If they are helpful, wonderful. I'm glad I was a blessing to you.  But for me, writing is an escape, a release.  It soothes me. It calms me. It brings me back to reality.

Reality.

In reality....life is hard. People are mean. There is sin and and hatred. There's so much "stuff" going on and spreading like wildfire that so many Christians cry out, "Jesus! Please come back now!'

And in all this reality, so many people click that post button wanting to see how many "Likes" they can get.

I admit it.

Sometimes I do too. I don't do it at anyone else's expense. I don't do it to humiliate or discourage. I don't do it to spread hatred and anger.  Sometimes I just want people to like what I have to say. Sometimes I want people to like my picture I am sharing.

Sometimes I forget that it isn't about me, but about Christ.

This all really built up when I wrote a post recently about my frustrations about how Christians are badmouthed simply because they disagree with the beliefs or lifestyles of others.  Honestly, I thought it was a really good post and that people would share it if they were too afraid to speak up for Christ.  I did the dirty work so to speak.  All they had to do was click "Like" and "Share."

Here are my stats on that post:

According to Blogger,  52 people read the post. There were no comments.

According to Facebook, there was 1 Share (2 if you count the one I shared from the blog Facebook page) and 2 Likes and 2 Comments (from the people that Liked it).

I'll admit it.

I was a bit disappointed.  After all, so many things that spread hatred, anger, and negativity are spreading like wildfire on social media.  And what???? I stood up for Christians who are tired of being pushed around for simply saying, "I don't agree," and it basically spread to a few folks.

I thought that was pretty sad.

But honestly, why did I click Publish?  Was it to get a million Likes or to stand up for Jesus?

Hard question.  It shouldn't be, but it is.

I was standing up for Jesus, but I also wanted to get a bunch of Likes and Shares too.  Hypocritical, I know.

So where is that happy medium.  Can't I do both?  I think for me, I have to realize and understand that it doesn't matter how many Likes and Shares I get. What matters is that I spread the message for Christ.  That even though one person might read my post, that one person was hopefully touched.


And as I write these words, I am telling myself the same thing I told Jeff.  He was frustrated about having to attend AT.  He told me that he felt like it didn't matter if he was there or not, that he wouldn't be missed.  His commanders don't even put Chapel on the schedule during battle assembly, and when he does get to have one, no more than 6-8 Soldiers show up.  I told him that was ok. That was 6-8 Soldiers that heard the message of Christ.  It's not about quantity. It's about quality.

So, in essence, that is what I am reminding myself.  It isn't about how many Likes and Shares I get on social media. It's about reaching at least one person....encouraging that person or showing the love of Christ to that person.  Sometimes that person might be me. Sometimes it might be you.  I have to remember.....It isn't about quantity. It's about quality.