I lost my cell phone. A few years ago being without a cell phone was a treasured experience. I was happy to be unreachable. Sometimes, I worked really hard to get lost.
Then one day, while delivering potato chips for my wife's family business, the delivery van broke down in the middle of I-81, our largest and most dangerous local interstate. Right in the middle. Like playing "Pac-Man" with the dashes on the highway in the middle. As the van stalled, I realized that I needed to get out of the van as soon as possible for fear of being struck by oncoming traffic. I pulled the gear into neutral and proceeded to push the van off the road, while hearing cars speeding around me, blaring their horns. Luckily, I was on the side of the van where I could not see the cars coming. I don't think I could have pulled the car out of the way if I saw the cars and trucks approaching! There you go, Mom. A little comfort. Sorry. When I made it across the road, I sat down for a great many minutes praying and thanking God for the dramatic rescue.
Next thing I did, there by the highway was... wait. I sat on the side of the road, as far away from the delivery van as I could and I waited for a state trooper to pull over and help me out. He let me use the phone in his car to call Ashley. When she picked up the phone, my words were simple.
"It's time for me to get a cell phone."
Since then, I have tried to keep the phone on me and have learned to rely on the convenience that cell phones bring.
Today, I am realizing that it has become an essential piece of equipment.
I haven't made my daily tweet (http://www.twitter.com/#!/KidsIntheValley) in nine days. I missed my weekly phone call to my mom. Sorry again, Mom! I got the evening schedule mixed up for my children which ended up with me having to drive to two houses and a college to look for my children. My daughter ended up late for choir. I ended up frustrated and upset. But most importantly, I have missed some very important phone calls from my wife. When she needed to contact me, I could not be found.
Wasting all that extra time, frustrating the people that I love and having to make unnecessary trips in the car... Ugh, these things have really taken a toll on the family this week.
So, when I read that Richard Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline, recommends limiting our addictions to gadgets in our lives, to me I don't think he is talking about having cell phones. He is not saying that we shouldn't have our computers and other tools. He does, however, state that we should "Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry." To me, he is asking us to check ourselves. Is this connection through technology ruling us?
When we put all of our trust in the newest gadgets, we often forget how we used to live without them. I have often found myself right in the middle of teaching a lesson when the power goes out. My ActivBoard won't work. I guess I just won't be able to teach. I use Google Earth almost daily. No power though...hmmmm.... Now, there's a problem.
It takes a few minutes to adjust and remind myself that I could read a book, or pull out a globe.
Foster's analogy for this is powerful...
"Children do not need to be entertained by dolls that cry, eat, wet, sweat, and spit. An old rag doll can be more enjoyable and more lasting. Often children find more joy in playing with old pots and pans than with the latest space set."
When I asked my students about this yesterday, they said they remember playing with simple toys, but they really like playing with new toys better now. How often have I gotten caught up in this idea that I need the newest toys also. Watch out, Best Buy! Here I come.
In Last Child In the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder, Richard Louv relates a story that he heard from a child when he asked the child if she liked to play outside.
“I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are.”
I found another quote that makes me chuckle regarding our "addiction" to new gadgets...
"I like my new telephone, my computer works just fine, my calculator is perfect, but Lord, I miss my mind! ~Author Unknown"
So, husbands; stay connected because you love your bride. Fathers, attend to your children... and check out that new video game your kids are playing. They might just need your guidance with what they find in the game. You won't know, if you don't check it out with them.
My dear sweet wife just made a huge decision in hopes of limiting her plugged in time. She is an inspiration to me. Yes, the same lady who has spent countless hours this week trying to help me find my cellphone... and covering for me when I couldn't be reached.
It's a tug of war. A struggle, at times. Good luck. Sit down, assess your use. Ever heard yourself say... "Honey, go play. Daddy's facebooking?" I'm so guilty of this. Time to make some changes.
Set a timer or choose a cut-off time. These fancy gadgets that connect us to each other and to the world wide web are not as important as time spent with our children, with our spouses. Make a human connection today.
Ladies and Gents... I give you:
Mr. Bill Mallonee
Link of the day...
Call your phone for free using Google Maps... http://lifehacker.com/226988/find-your-cell-phone-with-google-maps-click+to+call
Quote of the day...
"Technology... is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other." ~C.P. Snow
Bible verse of the day...
"But we have this treasure in clay vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7
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