Pinterest: Friend or Foe?

July 21, 2013

Pinterest: Friend or Foe?

When a friend first told me about Pinterest my first response was, "I don't have time for that!"

Well I know you won't believe me but since joining the throngs of pinterest users, I have miraculously found a secret time portal in the day just for pinterest! Of course I didn't know how much extra time there was to be found in the day till, I got lost in this world of creativity and inspiration at my fingertips.

To put it mildly I have helplessly fallen for Pinterest. It is one of my happy places, where all sense of time and reality fades away.

Isn't it amazing how when you enjoy something you can always find time for it?

Pinterest has opened up a whole new world of recipes, crafts, home school info, encouragement, laughs, home decor inspiration and organization tips; just to mention a few.

It's like a magazine of helpful information and creative ideas that I willingly admit... I would never come up with on my own.

At first it was just eye candy to me but as I started to delve deeper I found myself feeling like I needed to be doing more of the things from the blogs I was pinning in order to feel productive.

Man... these people must have been blessed with all the creative genes, gifting's and energy! What was I doing that could compare with recycling toilet paper rolls into works of art, T-shirts into jewelry, canning my own tomato sauce or organizing my whole house???

Maybe I wasn't sewing, crafting or cooking gourmet meals everyday but I came to the conclusion I didn't have to, it was okay. I didn't have to get overwhelmed by the all the immense amount of information being thrown at me. I could choose when I wanted to join in and take advantage of all the big and little ideas and tips. As I have found my balance in this microcosm, of scrolling pictures, I am thankful for how it has really helped to make my life more creative, fun and organized.

I know it's easy to feel like all these ridiculously talented people are all looking down their nose's at you with their perfectly decorated homes, well planned nutritious meals; saying, " What are you doing?" But you don't have to succumb to those thoughts... that are really only coming from yourself.

You don't have to feel condemned by others who may do more then you and may be more creative then you, but they might not be able to do all that you do. Remember that we are only looking at a part of their lives, we can't see what goes on behind the scenes. These are all real people, with real flaws and real problems also... who can't possibly have it together all the time!

We all have to come to a place where we accept that we all have different gifting's and talent's...and it's okay.

What a blessing to look up a recipe for kale and find more then you can use, to be given advice from a home school mom of nine, encouragement from a wife of 25 years, or a great idea for all that fabric you have laying around.

Here is a good verse to remember when using anything of this world:

"Those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians 7:31

{How do you apply this verse to Pinterest or anything you use?}

{Limit your time}

Somehow I can find myself perusing pinterest when I have other more important things that are waiting for my attention. I can get lost and just fade away as I look at one more enlightening quote, or scrumptious delicacy. I try to make sure that when I get on the computer that its not taking away time from my family and housework. If I do go on during a busy day, I try to determine to go on with the purpose of finding information that I need and I am learning to just stop if my name is being called and my arms are being tugged...it will be there when I get back.

{Don't compare your life to other's}

Gladly admit your strengths and weaknesses and enjoy being motivated, encouraged and inspired by others. Just because someone else is doing something ,doesn't mean you have to...unless you want to.

{Turn it off if it is causing you to stumble}

It's easy to become jealous or covetous of what others are doing or have. Guard your heart and mind and pry your eyes from the screen if it is stealing your joy. If you want to get back on make sure your heart is in the right place and that if you see something you want it is not making you ungrateful for what you have but motivating you to make the best of what you have.

{Are you using it or is it using you?}

Remember that the things of this world are just temporary and are meant to be tools to help us through this world; whether we use or don't use them, will not determine our salvation.

It's up to you how you are going to use the things of this world. Ask God to show you when something is becoming an idol and you need to get rid of it. Sometimes it might be that you are the one who needs to change your attitude and not blame the thing for your response to it.

To recap:

Pinterest is your Foe if:
- you are constantly comparing yourself and life to other's
- you are coveting
- it's causing you to feel unproductive and lazy
- you get overwhelmed by it
- you try to do everything you pin
- it depresses you

Pinterest is your Friend if:
- it inspires you
- encourages you
- makes you laugh
- teaches you
- helps you
- you are following people and blogs that will encourage and inspire you

Here are a few bloggers that I love following:
- Mandy B @ Biblicalhomemaking
- Life in Grace
- Darlene Schact {Time Warp Wife}
- Kid Blogger Network, Activities and Crafts
- It's Just Laine
- 30 Must Follow Christian Mom's
- Unveiled Wife
- Tricia Goyer
- Keeper of the Home
- Lisa Jacobson { Club 31 Women}

I confess I pin way more pins then I actually ever will do, but it's nice to know I have them pinned away for safe keeping for that day when I know I'll need them(and it doesn't take up any room.) Until then I do enjoy actually putting to work the ones that I can use now... when I am able.

Here are a few I did this week: