OK, it’s confession time. This is not a new confession, but it’s been a while so I thought I’d re-confess for those of you who missed it the first few times. Well…wait a minute, let me think about this, maybe this is a slightly different confession than before. Yes I’m sure it is.

When I signed up for Facebook I did it strictly for business purposes. It was not something I was looking forward too. It wasn’t something I needed to do in terms of finding old friends or making new ones. It was something that seemed to make sense for telling people about my book. So, the confession I’ve made before is that I’m only on FB to promote me and Everyday Christianity. Well my new confession is that I am really enjoying FB. The reason? Because I have found old friends, and have made some new ones. I have discovered things about people I have known for twenty or thirty years that I didn’t know before, and I have met some inspiring folks. Folks who are helping me become a better person.

Here are a few examples of some old friends and new acquaintances that are making me a better Christian.

Brad Woosley. I have known Brad since he started kindergarten with my son Josh. Those guys are now thirty-one years old. I would have never guessed that Brad would be posting “Things I am thankful for.” every morning on FB. That’s not all; I wouldn’t have thought that he would be posting a scripture on Facebook every morning. It’s not that Brad was a bad kid growing up, he wasn’t a bad kid. I guess I just didn’t know him as well as I should have. Brad thanks for the daily inspiration you provide to me and many others every day.

Trey Morgan. I know Trey because of Facebook. He is the preaching minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. Trey has a killer blog going, one that I read regularly. He is funny, and wise. His comments provide insight. He makes me stop and think about the way I live and serve. Trey, keep blessing us bro.

Paul O’Rear, the “silly ole bear.” I ran across him while looking for ministers on FB. I wanted to let ministers know about my book, I wanted to use them as a means of telling others about it. The table has turned for me however, because Paul’s experience of suffering the pain of losing a daughter to cancer has inspired to be more thankful for what I have; a beautiful family. Now I’ve even heard from a few of the folks that go to church with Paul and the sentiment seems to be that Paul O’Rear hung the moon. I’m not sure about that, but I’m checking into it.

Elaine Freeman. I’ve reconnected with Elaine Freeman. She and I went to school together for twelve years. It would have been thirteen years but Loop didn’t have kindergarten back in the dark ages. I don’t know what her life has been like for last thirty-five or so years, but I know she shares her happy spirit with me. Elaine always has smile in her comments, and leaves me with a positive feeling. That’s quiet an accomplishment considering I’m know as Grumpy. Thanks girl.

Delilah Ingle. Lila and I were good friends in high school, in fact I kinda always wanted to take her out, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. Now I ask you, how much since does that make? Anyway, Lila was the first “old friend” to let me know how much she enjoyed reading my book. She has passed it around, and told everyone she knows about it. Lila, this is a long time coming, but I want you to know how much your friendship meant to me when we were in school, and how much it means to me now. Thanks, and I love you.

I do have a problem with Facebook. Facebook can be time consuming; a body could spend a whole day just following one friend to the next. I got other things ta do ya know!  I cain’t just sit around all day get’n all inspired my everbody, I gotta go do some inspir’n my own self.  

So, in the end I have come to the conclusion that my selfish motivation has turned into a blessing. I am blessed by being touched everyday by old friends, and new friends, by “friends” that I don’t have a clue who they are, but have ended up being my friend just because they are a friend of one of my friends. (I think what I just said makes sense, go back and read it a few times and you’ll get it, kinda like starring at one of those pictures until the real pictures comes into view.) Yup, it’s a blessing to live in a time where one individual has the ability to connect to the world and gain inspiration, and comfort from friends, both old and new.

Till next time,

Grump