Computer Time

Do you ever feel like you spend a lot of time on the computer?  I know I do.  I feel like I almost can't function without it, which may seem ridiculous, but it's true.  I don't know what I'd do without it.  And that brings me to desiring some limits.  But then I think of everything that I do on the computer:

1) My part time job at the church requires many hours on the computer each week.  I communicate with the other church staff via e-mail since I work from home.  I coordinate volunteers via Facebook.  I order my curriculum and supplies online.  The list goes on and on.

2) I am a financial forwarding agent for my dear friends who work for Pioneer Bible Translators.  Almost all of my work for this is computer based.  I record gifts, e-mail receipts to supporters, and verify spreadsheets.  All on the computer.

3) I am in charge of our family finances.  I pay all of the bills and reconcile the bank statements.  This is all done, you guessed it, on the computer.

4) I do shopping and deal-hunting online.  Sometimes it's hard to get to the store with little ones, and sometimes you can just get better deals online, but I buy everything from toilet paper to clothes to Christmas gifts online.

5) I do all of our family scrapbooking on the computer, via this blog!

6) I manage our family calendar online.  I ditched the paper one a year and a half ago and haven't looked back.  It works great for our family.

7) I use Facebook for all event planning that I do: small group hosting, t-ball coaching, church events, birthday parties, showers, and on and on.

8) Since becoming a mom, Google has become my best friend.  I Google anything and everything.  I would probably definitely be embarrassed if someone published a list of the things I have Googled...

9) Often, the computer serves as my "cookbook."  And I make my menus and my grocery lists on the computer.

10) I just received a Kindle as a gift, and I LOVE it.  But I guess it's making me feel like I'm "on the computer" even more.  I know it's the same time and a different source, but my books are now "on the computer."  I'm even thinking about converting my Bible reading to my Kindle... I just love that highlighting feature (not that I'm afraid to mark up my real Bible)!

11) The computer is my "texting."  I don't have a fancy cellphone, so Facebook chat and e-mail are the ways that I "text."  You can usually get a fast response from me.  Which may be sad, but it's true.  It's also the way I communicate with my husband during the day.

So, where my mom might have made endless phone calls, mailed lots of letters, handwritten checks, went to ten stores looking for one thing, put photos in an album, pulled the family calendar off the wall to make plans, called the doctor every other week, pulled Betty Crocker's cookbook out every night, and read actual books, including the Bible, I'm clicking away on the computer and getting it all done in one spot.  It's amazing really, how convenient the computer has made things.

But on the other hand, I've been feeling like I'm spending a lot of time on here.  I want to find a healthy balance.  I'm not trying to make myself all innocent here either.  I waste a lot of time on the computer as well.  It's easy to be distracted by the things not on my list above, such as scrolling the Facebook newsfeed, playing games, reading blogs, etc.

I decided tonight to do a one week experiment with computer time.  I'm going to allow computer time only during Hannah and Jacob's sleep times, unless it's justifiably necessary.  So during naptime every afternoon and after bedtime every night will be the only times I open my computer for the next week... And I'm going to spend those moments that I wish I could get on the computer in prayer for my dear friends in West Africa.  This may not sound hard to you but I know it will be tough for me.  Challenge on, starting now!