One of the biggest challenges the coronavirus has presented me is keeping my mouth shut when I read things that are diametrically opposite to my own beliefs. Opinions, theories, assumptions, disinformation, half-truths, and flat out lies occupy the space where my friends and I have met to visit every day since 2009. It’s like throwing a lovely garden party and your crazy uncle drops in. You want to be nice, but he’s ruining your fun. How do you make him leave without hurting his feelings?

I’ve been really busy on my social media pages. I’ve discovered the joys of the drop down menu up there on the right hand corner of every post. I give consideration to the post. I check the reference source. I balance it against my beliefs. I consider who posted it. Then I make a choice.

• Engage. 
• Scroll by. 
• Hide post. 
• Report post. 
• Snooze the person posting for 30 days. 
• Unfollow. 
• Unfriend. 

There have been very few that I have unfriended right away, but a couple have managed to win that trophy immediately. I just want my fun space back. I want to talk with my peeps.

I saw this meme on a friend’s page yesterday and it struck me how true it is. We don’t have control over anything outside ourselves. All we can do is control our response. I have to remind myself of this when I do something so ill-advised as try to hold a sincere conversation with someone whose agenda is to stir up trouble. I know better…I just get tired. We’re all getting tired. I just have to remind myself to walk away from the computer more often.

I’ve started leaving my phone in another room for much of the day. I check early to see if my post link works and respond to you all. I check my email, the weather, the news. I answer texts. I read my devotionals. Then I get up and keep busy and work on projects. After lunch, I check in again before I spend my afternoon reading or working on something quietly…preferably out in the camper. Watch the news. Fix supper. Spend some time with Mr. FixIt. Then I write my post. Distancing from my electronic devices isn’t easy for me. I love them. But they don’t always serve me well. This meme is a good reminder.

I pulled out my soymilk maker yesterday and cleaned it up. The user manual is long gone, but through the wonders of the internet, I found it online. I soaked soybeans overnight so this morning I’ll make some soymilk. If I have enough, I’ll make a batch of tofu. If not, I’ll flavor it with a little vanilla and sweetener and have some delicious soymilk for cereal and drinking. It’s been a very long time since I’ve made tofu. It will take a while to work the kinks out and remember how it’s done.

Today is mow-at-the-farm day. I can’t wait…the rhododendron should be blooming soon!

❤️

“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:20-21 ESV