My younger daughter and I were discussing how everyone in the world nowadays has one or all of the following: laptops, iPads, tablets, smartphones, DS’s (is that right?), and so much more. My older daughter calls them pacifiers—especially smartphones. How often do you go to a restaurant and see a family at a booth or table where every person has some kind of electronic gadget in their hands. They’re tapping away on them or watching something or playing a game or texting. We live in a society of electronic distractions and pacifiers. It seems like we can’t comprehend how to communicate with our voices anymore.
I know that I would rather instant message someone or text them (is that redundant?) instead of picking up the phone and calling them. Although I admit in my case, it could stem from my years of working in a call center. There were evenings when I got home that the thought of a phone ringing would send me running to hide in the closet. Our home phone ringtone sounds like an old Nintendo game. It fools me into thinking one of the kids is playing a game instead of the phone ringing.
I watched a sitcom where a couple went on a date and texted each other across a table instead of having a normal conversation. Though hysterically funny, I suspect texting at the dinner table is more of a reality than we think. I used to teach a class of middle and high school students, and nearly all of them had a smartphone and earbuds. Trying to get them to comment on a serious topic was almost impossible. It was either silence while they played with their gadgets, ignoring what was going on, or pandemonium while they argued and tried to share the latest animal video which obviously the world couldn’t live without.
Life today seems to be all about the shock value with kids (some adults, too). Where did the adventure and wonder go of telling someone how nice it is to be out with them? Or how pretty or handsome they look. How about just sitting quietly together enjoying a sunset? Some kids would have to be duct-taped to a rock to sit long enough to watch a sunset. Even then, steam would pour out their ears.
With all this technology surrounding us, I looked at my daughter and said, “I feel like such a dumb phone sometimes.” I thought she was going to fall out of her chair; she was laughing so hard. I laughed, too, but even so, there are times when I feel inadequate in a situation.
There are many things to blog about, but life is full of situations that never touch me. Sure, being a pastor’s wife I see and hear a lot of things—humorous and tragic, serious and ridiculous, thoughtfully provoking, heartbreaking, or inspiring. What could I possibly have to offer people who are on a journey that I know nothing about?
The love and hope that Christ offers!
I am humbled at the thought that the words I type and send out into the void might actually have an impact for good or ill. (No, I don’t have delusions of grandeur—please don’t misunderstand.) I would hope that I’d be fearless in situations that are black and white, and that I’d be thoughtful in matters of opinion. This doesn’t change the fact that the biggest thing I’m an expert on is me. My love for Jesus continues to grow with each passing day. His love for me, in spite of my shortcomings, is infinite. Thank God! I’ve done nothing to deserve his grace—it was given to me freely, and that blows my mind. What a great God! I am awed and amazed at his splendor and love.
Have you met Jesus? Do you know him? He longs for a relationship with you, and the cost of this relationship is . . . nothing. The cost for Jesus was everything. He paid the price that no one else could pay. He took the penalty for everyone’s sin. That includes my sin, and it includes your sin, too, my friend… “How can that be?” you ask. “You’re kidding me!” No. I kid you not. He is already offering this salvation freely to you—you only have to repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus.
Acts 16:30-31, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (If you want to read the rest of the story, look up Acts 16:16-40.)
Here’s a little humor, and in the meantime, God bless and keep you all.
