It was just a half mile to the grocery store, and I only needed a few things. Surely I could leave my almost-dead “smart” phone plugged in to charge at home. I mean, what could happen in 30 minutes that I would absolutely have to have my phone for?
By the time I got to the end of the street, I was automatically reaching into my purse to find my phone to pick the song I wanted to listen to.
“Oh, shoot! That’s right! It’s at home charging!” I remembered.
Pulling out onto Metro Parkway, a Mercedes came around the turn just a few hundred feet ahead, obviously not having seen me, and I had to emergently slam on my brakes.
“For the love of God! What is WRONG with people on the road these days? If he would have hit me, I could not have even CALLED anyone! I don’t have my “smart” phone with me!”
Noticing that the parking lot was quite full, I parked far away and walked in. I thought to myself, “Oh now this is just soooo freeing! No cell phone on me! It feels so good!”
Really? Really, Rita? (Because you haven’t stopped THINKING about your stupid phone since you left home 10 minutes ago. Oh, I’m sorry – I meant “smart” phone).
Leisurely (as I’d like to convince both you AND I), I shopped before getting in the shortest line. I did the usual “eyeing every basket” looking for the speediest checkout, with the baskets carrying the least amount of groceries in them, and I stood there. (You know, because I can’t be gone too, too long. I don’t have my “smart” phone with me.)
“Can I get a price check on an item?” the cashier called out, and immediately I shouted (in my head, don’t worry), “SERIOUSLY? Now it’s going to be even LONGER before I get home to my SMART phone!” And over the next 120 seconds or so, I envisioned my son in Chicago needing to reach me because of an emergency, my other son and his wife needing me, or something happening to my elderly mother and her being unable to find me. Yup – all in 120 seconds. Mind you, I’ve only been gone from my house now, a total of about 20 minutes.
Yeah, wow, I know, right ?! (Houston, we have a problem.)
But before you judge – Did you know that the AVERAGE (which likely includes you!) times people look at their “smart” phones per week is 1,500 ?? Average “smart” phone owners use their phones for 3 hours, and 16 minutes a day! And 4 in 10 users admit to feeling lost when they don’t have their “smart” phone with them.
Now, I don’t know about you – But I certainly do not open up my Bible 1,500 times per week, and I definitely do not spend 3 hours and 16 minutes a day studying His Word. (I don’t think I even spend that much time per week reading my Bible).
Can you IMAGINE if we DID pend 3 hours and 16 minutes a day in the Bible, or just spoke with the Lord 1500 times per week? I can’t even BEGIN to imagine the lives that would change (beginning with mine)!
Feeling convicted yet? I certainly am. But fear not! There’s an APP for that! 😉 (It’s called PUT IT DOWN!, and also known as SHUT IT OFF!)
Our phones are not “smart.” They don’t have all of the answers. They can’t solve all of life’s problems. In fact, sometimes I think they cause more problems than they are worth. I sometimes wonder if we had to “log in” to our “Bible” account, like we do our Facebook and Twitter accounts, would we be satisfied with the hours we were logging? I doubt it.
I’m going to make a change. I’m putting my stupid phone away, and I’m going to pick up the smartest Book I know of, the one with all of the answers for all of life’s issues. (Yup – Every single one of them).
If you can’t reach me, I’m logging some “knee mail” time with my Father. I’ll catch up with ya’ later.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
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