Turning Off the Phone

There is a Peanuts Comic where Lucy and Linus are getting ready for Church. Lucy asks, “Have you studied your Sunday school lesson?” “I’m working on it.. I’m practicing doing three things at once,” Linus responds as he tries to get dressed. “All it takes is balance and coordination of which I happen to have plenty of both!” He continues, “See? I can read the lesson, button my shirt and slip my feet into my shoes all at the same time…” Just as he says this, he slips and falls – shoes and Sunday school lessons all go flying. In the last frame, Lucy says, “Lesson for today: Second Samuel, first chapter, verse 19, ‘How the mighty have fallen.’”

In today’s world, we try to multi-task all the more. Our smartphones, ipads, and tablets allow us to connect with friends and colleagues all over the world at any given moment. There is a lot of blessing in this – however, I am more and more aware that we have to be careful. While it is completely possible to work or socialize online while we’re on vacation, or at the dinner table, or while hanging out with other friends and family, it can be detrimental to those relationships.

I am constantly reminded that one of the best gifts we can give to people that we love is to listen to them. But it is impossible to be present to them, and with them, if we are at the same time, somewhere else online.

Today I invite you to join me in making a conscious effort to set down the phone, turn off the TV, and move away from the screens when I am around people I love.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you today for the gift of technology. But, even more importantly, we thank you for the gift of family and friends. We know we couldn’t make it for very long in life without them. When in their presence, help us to be present, and to show them our love by our attention. Amen.