Relationships: As NOT Seen On Social Media

I saw this posted on a friend's social media account about a month ago, and I have been reflecting ever since. I am so thankful that I have taken an entire month off from posting statuses and pictures onto any of my personal accounts. I've found that, when I post something to my blog, I take time to mull it over and make sure that I say everything that I want to, and that it is all appropriate. 

However, it is so easy to post something quickly without giving much thought to what you are saying. A few months ago I read an article that got down to the heart of how people use social media. 

Throughout this last month, I haven't posted anything to social media except to communicate about a friend's health. During this month I have examined how I use my social media, and begun to question why I post the things I do, and what purpose each post serves. 

I've been able to look through each of my albums, deleting pictures that don't need to be there. I've found that I generally use Facebook to add my own photos, and use it as a place to store photos as another way to back them up. But I'm a picture hoarder. I take way too many pictures, and I keep them for too long. I care what people think of what I post far too much. 

That's why these words hit me so hard. Erick and I talked about this somewhat recently. He asked which I cared about more, how our relationship really is, or how people perceive it. You see, I can control what pictures are displayed to the world. Those who see our relationship only through those happy pictures that show all of the fun times that we have. 

But what people don't see is the amount of effort that goes into our relationship. How long we had to wait until we started dating, how we do actually argue about things. How we are really bad about communicating.

 So, even though others may see a perfect relationship on the surface, there is a lot that goes into it, and I have learned that I can't get a sense of security based on what others think of our relationship. That will only come through communication when we truly make the effort to talk to each other and define things for what they are. 

I'm thankful that Erick is the man who loves me when there is no filter, who wants to see me everyday and still calls me beautiful, even if I look like a lobster because I decided I'd rather burn than wear sunscreen. :)

This is what I have been reflecting on for the past month, and as this time ends, I have become more aware of what can give me security in my relationships. It is only through my relationship with Jesus Christ that I can be at peace about anything that happens. 

Striding for him,

Melanie