I like to call Pinterest my “cheap therapy.” Of course, that would necessitate that I’m usually visiting Pinterest when I’m tired, discouraged, lonely, hungry, or all of the above. Rarely do I hop on Pinterest just because I’m feeling so happy and content with my life. And when I’m not, I somehow think that I will feel better by looking pictures of pretty things I don’t have and ideas for crafty things I will never create.
I’ve always had the highest respect for my friend Everly’s commitment to not having a wedding board on Pinterest, since she’s not yet planning a wedding. But then it hit me: why is this discipline limited to singles and wedding boards? What about my dream home organization ideas? What about those ridiculously intricate crafts I will never create? Am I curating contentment or covetousness by pinning those ideas?
Your Pinterest boards say a lot about you, according to the fun new eBook Pin-terpretation. But what if my Pinterest boards are displaying more than just my random personality and my love of bright colors? What if my Pinterest boards are reflecting the state of my heart? Are my boards showing contentment in my circumstances or a desire for more of this, less of that?
My crafty friends have boards called “Completed Pins”, where they repin all the Pinterest ideas they’ve actually completed. But I know I’ll never be completing any of those creative ideas I find on Pinterest, unless you count completing a recipe. So I decided instead to create a “Contented Pins” board, where I repin the things that remind me to be content, whatever my circumstances.
But I can’t let it stop with just one board. I know I need to exercise discipline on all of Pinterest, and in more than just pinning exercise ideas.
Am I pinning the things I have, or the things I want?
Are my pins fostering thankfulness, or discontent?
Am I repinning things that make me smile, or things that are crude humor?
Am I pinning contented pins?
Would anyone be able to tell I love Jesus from what I pin on my Pinterest boards?
Sarah Bessey started a new trend on Pinterest, with Wise Women boards reflecting women that were truly beautiful, inside and out.
What if we started pinning less about the things we want, more about contentment? What if we were pinning more than just pithy quotes? What if the Word of God was always to be found on your Pinterest home page? What if we pinned like we really believed Hebrews 13:5? What if we each had a “Contented Pins” board, filled with the things that help remind us to be content in the circumstances we find ourselves in? (Especially those circumstances that make us turn to Pinterest for cheap therapy.)
But it’s about more than just what I repin—it’s also about the Pinterest boards I follow. I finally realized it was making me feel overwhelmed to have my Pinterest home page clogged with ideas I would never create. So I started unfollowing the boards that were all creative and crafty ideas. But I also started unfollowing the boards that were littered with crude humor and unlovely ideas, the boards that were filled with images of the body I’ll never have, the lifestyle I’ll never live.
What if we applied Philippians 4:8 to our Pinterest boards? What if we started curating contentment on Pinterest?
“Finally, sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, pin and repin these things.”
What philosophy are you guided by as you pin? Do you have a contented pin board? I’d love it if you’d share the link to your Pinterest profile in the comments!
Great post! (I found it via Pinterest!). I have been enjoying your “contented” pins coming through my feed.
Back when I started my boards, I created one titled “Words to remember” http://pinterest.com/princessjobeth/words-to-remember/ which is comprised of mainly Bible verses or biblically based quotes. I also have an “Inspiring” board featuring posts and people who “spur me on toward love and good deeds” http://pinterest.com/princessjobeth/inspiring/
I try to use pinterest as a tool, and since I am a designer, the visual appeal is great! So although I do have boards with pretty clothes, crafts, and colors, they are all there for a reason
Thanks for the great reminder to be purposeful in pinning!
Jordan
I love your boards, Jordan! Thank you for sharing.
Gretchen, this is a GREAT post.
Thank you so much for the reminder and the challenge!
I was truly convicted when I read with new eyes Matthew 6:31: So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’. Quite the opposite of what Pinterest makes out to seem so important. So I made a “Miriam’s true life adventures” board- based on the people, places, and things that God has helped me meet, go to, and accomplish. I go to it when I feel less then content and dwell on the blessings already afforded to me! I also curate a board I named ktizo (which is greek to mean to be being built, created, by God) which is posts of encouragements and scripture that build up what I desire to be in Jesus. Great post!!!! I am so happy to have found this community. I’m on pinterest: /miriamlilly
What a great idea, to make a board of where you’ve been and what you’ve done! Love your ktizo board.
I LOVE this post! I have been SO disappointed in what Christians put on their boards. They’ll have a scripture or quote about God and then have some sarcastic quote or one with cussing in it, right next to it! And the boards with all the handsome movie stars that we know are living wicked lives. Pinterest definately shows you what’s on the inside, but that is very ugly in a lot of people who claim to know Christ.
Sad but true.
Great thoughts on this social media thingamabob… and I certainly hope folks can tell I love Jesus through my boards.
Blessings.
There’s no way they couldn’t, with your boards, friend.
Great advice! I think what we “like” online says a lot about who we are.