Are You Brave Enough to Post This Kind of Facebook Status?

Who out there wouldn't really like to know they're loved? Or whether you've had an impact on another's life? Can I get a show of hands? Wouldn't you like to know the answer to that? Ok, you can put your hands down now.

On November 10th, 2009, around 10pm, I decided I would try an experiment on my Facebook Status. I changed it to read:

"Ron is posting his riskiest status on Facebook yet! Click the 'LIKE' button if God has used me in your life."

At first, after posting it, a certain fear started to settle in. Would I get any votes? Wouldn't that just be the most embarrassing thing? It almost felt like I was posting: "Does anybody love me?" What if no one clicked on the LIKE button? I started to sweat, and it had only been two minutes. Then, I had a fantastic idea: I'll get my daughter to click "like" on my page. That way, I'd have at least one vote and not look like such a lame duck.

I cruised over to her Facebook page and got ready to type my message... and that's when my status indicator indicated a "3". Whoa! Three? I clicked it, and to my surprise, my daughter had already "liked" my status, along with two others. Whew! No need to sweat any longer. With at least 3 votes, I was good to go.

Five minutes later, I checked again. Up to 8 now... Then 12.

I decided to sign off for the night. Watching for the number to go up was about as crazy as watching the hit counter page views on Associated Content climb up.

In the morning, around 7:30, I peeked in again. The count stood at 25. Whoa! Definitely not in the lame category now. It would eventually level off at 32.

As I reflect back over this experience, I have to admit that when I posted the status, I wasn't in some low, depressed state. I wasn't looking to my Facebook friends for some instant validation or cheer-me-up kinds of messages. I was doing it totally out of the curiosity to see what kind of response I'd get.

Yet, I'm sure there are those out there who ARE hurting. Who ARE lonely. Who really would like to know that someone out there loves them. (I explored some of this in my story: A Lost American Teenager in Karamursel, Turkey)

Needing feedback from friends is important, and I'm glad that I received the kind of response I did. Of course, it means a whole lot more when a friend sends a personal message, email, card, phone call, txt message or (Heavens!) even a letter. And, let's not forget about FaceTime. You know, face-to-face conversations. Yeah, they still happen! They need to happen.

I'm thankful for the Christian friends that God has given me, and there is no doubt that I would not have made it this far in life if not for their love, concern and prayers.

The greatest friend of all, Jesus Christ, even left me a message. I found it over in John 3:16. (And speaking of friends, anyone else amazed at being called a friend of God? John 15:15)

So, even if no one clicks the "Like" button on your status, know that there can be an amazing calm in just being God's child. Rest in that knowledge.

And remember, God doesn't just click the "like" buttons, He goes straight for the "love".