Level 50

"Level 50! Wow, that took way too long... Now that I am here I have to go. My wonderful neighbors, thank you so much for being such great neighbors. I'm sorry I have to sell the farm, but I have always dreamed of retiring. I now have time for my real time kids and awesome hubby. I'm sad to go but real life lies ahead. Miss you all already. Good night."

This was my post last night after six long months, day in and day out playing a game on Facebook. Now honestly, I felt that I needed to end the game in December of last year. And in my defense, I did end the other two games I was playing. But that didn't seem to help much, because with all the new found time, I spent it on building my farm.

I tried hiding the posts for all the "free" goodies that are intended to enhance my farming pleasure. But you see, I had added so many "friends" for the sole purpose of being my "farm neighbors" I felt obligated to continue to "help" them in their farming endeavours. I mean, they had been sending me gifts, of farm animals, fruit and nut trees, supplies to help build my stable. At a moments notice ten of my neighbors would drop all they were doing and help with my "barn raising". How could I not help them?

So, after only a week or two, right back at it I went. But this time I had my resolve. I knew I could end it. I set my sights on the goal. "Level 50", for me I had only one neighbor that had ever gotten that far. Most had dropped off around 40 or so and slowed way down. But I kept plugging on, with the OK I had given myself to spend as much time as needed so I could end this thing. A month went on, but I was almost there, collection after collection of silly items found in the dirt and up in trees.

That brings us up to yesterday, when I could have been done farming first thing in the morning but.... I had neighbors farms to tend for the last time, and acquired farming monies to spend on my favorite neighbor, and gifts I had received that needed to be used. Finally, the last silly things were taken care of in my mind and I sent out my farewell post, the one you read a few moments ago. I bit the bullet and deleted the farm. A bit of sadness but also relieved that it was done.

Here we are today, catching up with "computer stuff" that had been neglected for so long. The last thing to catch up in my email were the devotional ones that I had subscribed to for the beginning of the year. Like most of us I kept up through January (but remember that I had hid the game posts from myself in order to even get that far). So here I am this morning and afternoon doing catch up on my time with God, reading my devotionals... Here we go, here's my verse for today...

Colossians 3:1-4 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (New Living Translation)

Talk about a slap in the face. Where have my sights been set for the last six months? Not only were my sights set on the things of this earth, I had absolutely nothing to show for it. Nothing, a deleted virtual farm that gave me nothing. I have learned a lot today. And I do not say that so loftily as to think that I won't slip up again, but I am asking my Lord and Savior for the help and direction I need from the Holy Spirit to set my sights on Him anew every morning for the rest of my life.

God, I do love you with all my heart. Please forgive me for all the time I have waisted. Time that you created for me and that I squandered away, uselessly. Only with your help will I do better from here on out.

Amen