Snooze 30 Days, Rinse, Repeat…

“And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”

It has become a routine of mine over the last year, perhaps, year and a half: every 30 days I snooze the same 8-10 people on Facebook.

Why? And, if it’s the same people over and again, why don’t I just “block” or “unfriend” them?

I can answer the second question more easily than the first: I don’t consider anyone disposable. All are made in the image of God, brothers and sisters in Christ…whether they believe in Him or not. And, as such, I love them.

So, why do I “snooze” them?

Because of the hateful rhetoric that I am often tempted to wade into in an effort to explain the opposing point-of-view.

You see, when I was growing up, people with different political and social points-of-view were still capable of having meaningful discourse with each other. Sure, they disagreed. They argued. They shouted. They got a little hot under the collar, as they say. But, even if they stormed away from each other, once they cooled off and had time to reflect on what they heard, and weighed it against their own opinions and experiences, they came back and continued talking to that friend or family member. They didn’t cancel them out. They backed off and allowed the conversation to percolate, both in their own mind, and in the other person’s mind. In allowing those moments of cool down, they often reached a better understanding of each other. They still might not agree with each other, but they respected the other’s position because they understood better why they took such a position.

Thanks to the often evil that is social media, we never have that cool down period, that time to reflect and consider what another person may be saying. We’re in each other’s faces everyday via the screens we all carry around in our pockets or purses. We don’t seem to care why someone voted for Trump, voted for Kamala. Or why this issue is having such a profound effect on our loved ones and acquaintances.

I confess to being guilty of that myself. When you don’t have to see the other person’s face, their hurt, their confusion, etc. we tend to say things we would never say in person. Everything escalates…until maybe there’s no turning back. I don’t want to reach that point with anyone. So, if I have to spend the first week or so of each month snoozing the same people over and again to avoid another round of arguing over opinion, then so be it.

It does get wearisome though.

And here’s the thing: in some cases, true colors are showing (including some of my own…).

Case in point: I get routinely trolled by the adult niece and nephew of my best friend (who has unfriended me on Facebook, refuses my calls, and has recently moved without providing me an address with which to send birthday and holiday wishes). It has gotten so that I can almost predict which posts will elicit a response from them. It starts with the nephew, whom I have always thought well of in the past, responding with snarky and often verbally abusive remarks. If I rise to the bait and try to explain my position, the niece jumps in with a bunch of name-calling. And the nephew also responds with more snarky and abusive remarks.

Again, people aren’t disposable with me, but I’m almost tempted to break my own rule and block them…and wonder what part of the abused child in me is still trying to placate the abusers?

It astounds me that so many can hate one man so much…and, yet, in 2020, I was similarly afflicted. It wasn’t until I watched the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and then followed the news coverage on CNN, MSNBC and FOX in regard to the trial. FOX leaned everything pro-Republican talking points. CNN leaned everything pro-Democrat. I caught MSNBC in outright lies. We’re often chided about getting our news via the internet, or social media, and rightly so. But, when our so-called news outlets are equally biased, it’s kind of tough to know where to go. I find myself leaning more towards some independent voices: Kim Iverson, Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar, Tucker Carlson (yes, he’s probably still a bit biased, but he’s at least open to hosting more liberal voices along with the conservatives). And, even as I listen, I still question how accurate it all is. Where are they getting their news from?

Sometimes I wonder if this is all part of the plan. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I can’t help wondering if maybe our government, or our news’ organizations, are seeking to keep us in the dark…and at each other’s cyber throats. Distraction? From what? Which point-of-view is correct?

If I had all the answers, I’d be the most sought-after woman in the country…

Or dead.

For Lent this year, I deleted both the Facebook and Messenger apps from my phone. I can still access my account via my laptop, and I do. I wish friends a Happy Birthday, try to seek out the positives. I visit friends’ pages and celebrate with them an anniversary, new baby in the family, new pet, or in one case, some incredible awards at Crufts’ dog show this year. And, if I do share anything political or social, it’s usually from a much more moderate voice. I’m also becoming more intentional with what I share.

Scripture, too, is on the menu because we need Him more today than ever.

I still get the snarky remarks…even about the Scripture.

But I’m learning it’s way better to pray for them, and this mind-boggling hatred that seems to have taken hold of so many hearts–I understand; I was there, too, back in 2020–and let Him work on those hearts instead. He’s got a much better track record than I do.

May God bless you & keep you!