Loneliness, Connecting, and Little Red Hearts

Social media can be a beautiful thing. It keeps us connected to people worlds away. But it can also stir up a whirlwind of jealousy, discontentment, and the compulsion to tell others everything you think, eat, wear, and do. So, when you aren't famous, why bother? I ask myself that sometimes. No one cares that you are wearing, yet again, another Disney shirt. We got it. You are a child. Here's the thing: being a stay at home mom can get lonely. Sure, I am surrounded by small people and lots of noise. But it's a different kind of lonely. There is a ton of emotional camaraderie in motherhood ... but there is a fair amount of physical isolation. I may not see my friend today, but when I see her post that her toddler just dumped an entire box of cheerios on the floor, I feel connected to her. I may not see my sister, but when I see a video of my nieces and nephews jumping into a pool, I feel like I'm there. And when I post a picture of our homeschool day, and my mom likes it, I feel like she's here. I don't feel alone. What about God, Missy? No, I know. God is here. I'm never alone. YadaYadaYada. But God created us to live in community for a reason. If it had been enough to know He was with us, Adam would have just stayed alone. But IT WAS GOOD for Adam to have a helper. It's awesome that God never leaves us, but it is good to have other people. Sometimes those people are physically with us, playing board games and eating flax-seed oatballs. Sometimes those people are emotionally with us, liking our post that we are down 10 pounds. So when you scroll down and see my post, know that I wish you were right there next to me (and you are welcome to stop by, anytime!). But if you can't be, I'll know you are cheering me on with one click of that little red heart.