It was not so long ago that grace was an easier thing to consider offering a family member, co-worker or friend. In the event that plans changed we would assume no news was good news. We could assume that anothers schedule was interrupted and remain patient to await an explanation for lateness or absence. We would cover the missed appointment with hope and faith in ones ability to respect us and our time. Things have changed since everyone has a cell phone!
Being on call is no longer for Drs. only! A friend can become a nusuance with text messaging each mundane activity or conversation, a family member is now accountable for each and every minute of the day, a co-worker is harrassed by anxious deadlines and details. In short we have fewer moments left to ourselves to process information that is slung at us faster than the speed of light. We are fast becoming slaves to the addiction of constant confirmation and control. We are also placing one another in position to allow interruption in our sacred moments.
I have been out for dinner and subjected to private conversations via cell phones. I have waited in traffic due to non attention by a user, I have been directed by hand signals in Wal-mart from shoppers who perch in an isle to finish some discourse. The significance is not wasted on me now.
Six months ago I gave up my cell phone. I choose to save the $70.00 per month to add back into my budget. At first I felt uneasy, what if my husband or kids needed me? And to think about the unlimited long distance I was giving up! How about those long distance trips, what if something happened on the road?
Well, I went back to occasional contact by phone to those out of the area(via the home line), made better use of my e-mail stratagies(we already pay for modem service) and started to leave notes on the fridge if I was gonna be out and about. I made a very real connection with members of my household to discuss plans and timelines. Each becoming more respondsible to take TIME in communicating agendas. For things beyond my control, I just trusted God and his investment in me and others to care for us. I prayed over concerns and situations for His good purposes. Believe me, my lifeline was not through a phone but reborn in a faithful God who removed anxiety and worry, gave me reason to praise Him in His plan, and renewed my time and connection.
Sometimes we all lose sight of our need to bring all our cares to God through Christ! We take on all the worries of the world as if it revolved around us. We esteem our ability to self prevent and self protect above "The creator of the universe" and in so doing, create small prisons that choke the freedom from our peaceful state of mind. We stop showing regard for others , we shut ourselves into a vacuam of our self importance and we narrow the oppertunity to allow the wonderment of God to fill our circumstances.
These are the observations of a former cell phone abuser and user! I have been delivered to see how a tool of good can become a weapon if not treated with regard of common sense and gracious living toward one another.
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