"Real" Facebook statuses

As a blogger and Facebook poster, I recognize that there is so much that I could say that I don't say.  So much that I could say that you probably don't care to hear.  I would probably sound like I'm complaining.  You might think poorly of me, you might feel sorry for me...and so I report the good news.  The things I want to be known for.  I give you a glimpse into my life.  I even try to be careful about these positive updates...wouldn't want anyone to think I'm bragging about how good I have it.  And sometimes I am "real", but not completely.  Because there is a whole lot that most people just don't want to know.

I wonder what it would be like if every time something happened in the course of a day it were automatically posted on Facebook.  It might look something like this...

Marisha:

I just got irritated with my toddler.  I'm trying to potty train him and he's just not getting it folks.  He even pulled off his soiled training pants and threw them onto his bedroom floor carpet...and here I am scrubbing...and let me tell you it reeks!  Bigtime!

or, 

Marisha:

My baby has spit up on me no less than 4 times in the past hour.  I keep changing her clothes and mine and I am beginning to think it is an exercise in futility.

or, 

Marisha:

Why aren't my children understanding that it is not ok to get so upset, burst into tears and raise their voices with one another...have I been raising my voice today?

or,

Marisha:
I just had to slip into my room and close the door for a few minutes.  I'm so overwhelmed and I felt my temper rising within me.  So much is happening today.  It seems like every time I turn around there is another issue I have to resolve or discipline my children for.  I came in my room and balled my eyes out, begging God for strength and grace.

or maybe a little deeper...

Marisha:
I am so upset right now.  How is it that yesterday my husband and I were getting along so well and now we just had an argument.  I said some things I shouldn't have...I just wish he would understand why I feel so hurt about this!  No one ever told me marriage would be so hard.

I'm sure you can think of many other things that could be posted from your life too.  And I'm not advocating that we do this...but could you imagine?  I know you may not need me to tell you this, but please don't let Facebook deceive you.  Your friends are not living perfect, problem free lives.  They go through hard things, they cry, they hurt, they feel lonely, they don't always get along with their spouse in a marriage relationship of perfect love and respect, and their kids are not always happy and well-behaved.  How do I know?  Because it's not like that in my life and I know that everyone else is human just like me.

Maybe you've sat in front of that screen about to update your status with something good and you think "this is just one small piece of my puzzle...one little tidbit from the complexity of issues that I am dealing with..."  Yeah, me too.  But let's just face it, there are some things that Facebook is just not meant for.  I think that is something that most of us are learning.

And so we share.  We share these little glimpses into the lives we are living.  We pick and choose what we want to put on display.  And most of it is good, just like the photo albums we put together before Facebook existed.  After all, who wants that picture of a wailing baby or a grumpy child to grace the pages of the album?  We want to remember the good stuff.

Have you struggled with this thing we call Facebook?  Are you questioning if it's worthwhile?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :)