Yesterday I spent a better part of the day running errands. I’m guessing you know the drill for a Saturday. A little pampering in the morning with hair and nails, then off to the races. The grocery store run, a stop by the storage unit to pick up the Thanksgiving decorations, a run by Hobby Lobby to pick up a few things, you get the idea.
As I made my way around town, I could tell the snowbirds were coming back. The varied license plates and the increased traffic were proof of that. I noticed something else as I made my way around town. At every stoplight, the driver or drivers next to me were on their phones. Both hands scrolling away, not even looking at the light or the car in front of them, totally not paying attention to what was going on around them. Many of them stopped more than a car length behind the car in front of them, I guess just to make sure they didn’t hit them accidentally, while they weren’t paying attention. When the light turned green, it took a full 10 seconds before they noticed and began moving. The more I saw it, the more irritated I became.
I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to understand that you have got to pay attention when you are driving. You put yourself and everyone around you at risk when you are engrossed in scrolling through your phone behind the wheel of a car. It is a serious responsibility to drive a vehicle, and it requires your full attention. So, put it down, put your phone down.
How often have you been in a restaurant and seen a family at a table, all scrolling through their phones? Not a single conversation is happening; literally everyone at the table is looking at their phone. Or all of the adults are chatting, but the kids, even the toddler, are on a digital device, not having any social interaction with another human being. Put it down, everyone; put your phone or tablet down, and talk to each other.
We live in a world where digital devices and toys have taken the place of human interaction. That is not how we were built, and not how we are to live. The Lord made us to interact with each other. To care for each other, communicate with each other. We have feelings, and those feelings are to be shared and experienced with others, not with an app on a digital device.
So, I encourage you today: put your phone down. When you have a meal with family or friends, try keeping your phone in your pocket or purse; leave it off the table. There is a restaurant here in town that will actually give a discount on your bill if everyone puts their phone in a basket at the front desk when they come in. Think about that.
Interact with others personally today. Enjoy the company of other human beings. I think you’ll find you are much happier than if you’d wasted your day scrolling through social media or playing the latest digital game.
Have a good day, everyone. I’m looking forward to an afternoon of Mahjong with friends, and no phones š . Continued prayers today for Bill and Lorrie and for the return of Emily Rea.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
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