I don't say more online about my beloved wife or my children (or my extended family) for two primary reasons:
1. I want to shelter and protect them.
Though I've had no death threats recently, nor am I doubtful of God's ability to protect my family, I am mindful that there is evil in this world. Why should I give out information about them to people who might use that information to misuse it? I'm amazed that people publish information online that shouts out "Hey, I'm traveling from now until then, and my wife and little kids are home all alone without me."
2. Writing about them makes it harder to be in close, trust relationships with them.
It's a major withdrawal from the "trust" account if I speak about them without their permission, even in the midst of our church "family." Writing online would require an even larger withdrawal!
So I'm as transparent about my life as I can be with a large online audience, but that transparency fades to black when it comes to my close friends and family members.
2 comments:
What you are saying is spot-on Glenn, and it's a shame that some people would use that type of information to possible harm your family. But since we know that the Bible says the heart of man is desperately wicked, it should not surprise those of us who trust the Word that decendents of Adam would use family information for evil.
As you pointed out, we are not doubtful of God's ability to protect us, but that doesn't excuse carelessness on our part.
Thanks, Brian. I love the amplifying power of social media like Twitter and blogging -- it's an important means of ministering to a larger sphere of people. But we do need to guard ourselves and our families.
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