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Social Media….Computer Mediated Communication….a Façade That Covers a Face


The world of technology allows us to present ourselves in the most favorable light possible. In fact, my marriage was born out of a relationship that was started and maintained through Computer Mediated Communication (CMC). Through this method of communication, it didn’t matter what I looked like physically at the moment; it also allowed me to conceal what my facial expressions would give away. This form of communication allowed me to rethink, reread and actually hear what I was saying before I hit “send”. 

Thus, a world was born, one where everyone seems perfect, flawless, accomplished, beautiful and ageless. A world of perfection came into existence: perfect children, perfect marriages, and perfect jobs. It is in this world of perfection that we all feel like failures. Social media shows us that a perfect world does exist, we just don’t feel a part of it…even if our Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, Twitter and blog tells others we are; we know our truth.

While we believe the perfection we see on other’s media…and we know we project a false perfection on ours…we still seem to accept that their lives are “really perfect” and ours is just “perfect” in fleeting moments. What we fail to remember is that perfection DOES NOT exist outside of God. My perfect life takes a lot of time, consideration, deletes, edits and backspaces.

Upon becoming a saved Christian I made one “deal” with myself….I would be totally transparent and open with everyone, hiding nothing, answering all questions, even the hard ones…I told myself I would not allow myself to be the “perfect” Christian…because I didn’t want people to believe that I am a Christian because I’m perfect…I wanted people to know I am a Christian because I’m broken…because I needed fixing….I failed that mission in allowing my social media presence to assume perfection.

I don’t want to be perfect or seem perfect…I want to be real. I want my problems and what I have overcome to invite conversation about coping, finding strength and faith, and fighting to overcome. So I am committing to posting the first picture (the bad one) and the last picture (the perfect one). I am committing to posting my first comment….then my actually thought out comment. I am committing to being very honest about the hardships I am experiencing. I have decided to write exactly what my life looks like and what I am experiencing as a mother, wife, friend…it won’t always be pretty, it will change your perception of me, but you will know that I am broken, on my knees, seeking God always because I need Him.

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