Thursday May 26 2016  SMART PHONES, CAN’T LIVE WITH THEM, CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THEM

Sometimes when you least expect it you meet someone that you seem to connect with.  I met a lady (in the true sense of the word) today at Costco.  We began a casual conversation and after a few moments I realized the longer I talked with her the more I enjoyed talking with her.  She was delightful to speak with and she had a husband with the patience of a saint.  Her husband was just as refreshing as she was.  I felt very blessed to have met up with this couple and I truly hope to meet them again.  We parted ways and I left her with my name and blog address as well as my email address.  I do not take information from those I meet because I do not want them to feel threatened that “that stranger lady they met at Costco” is going to call them when they least expect it.

The world has become a smaller place over the years with our jet travel, instant messaging, facetime and all the other instant media available today.  As the world has become smaller, our relationships seem to have become wider apart.  Very rarely do people stop for conversations (especially with a total stranger you might meet at Costco).  And it seems just as rare to see families and friends conversing much anymore as they sit around a table.  Each person is zoomed in on what they hold in their hands.  Yep!  The smart phone!  Sit back, take your eyes off your phone and just watch what almost everyone around you is doing, especially in public places like airports, restaurants, on mass transit, or even when walking across the streets.  Well, recently I stopped and took notice of what Dave and I were doing at our own dinner table.  You got it!  We were both on our phones, each ensconced in our own little world, reading articles that caught our attention, or texting.  Not much conversation going on.  I’m guilty.  I’ll admit to that.  Dave only started reading his phone at the table after I began the despicable habit.  And that is when I decided that I don’t want our nucleus family to become casualties of mass media.

Just because “everyone else is doing it” doesn’t make it okay.  But then again, that is just my opinion and no one has really asked for it.  All I can do is to take steps to change my behavior.  So I have decided to put my time-stealer away.  I listen while on equipment at the gym.  I proof my blog on the IPhone screen because I can better catch mistakes.  I have gone through all my unsolicited emails and UNSUBSCRIBED.  That has helped tremendously in cutting back on all the “interesting” topics that pop up.  And I know this topic doesn’t make much sense, me being a blog writer.  The difference is, I invite those who are interested, to read it without sending email reminders everyday to read my blog.  Nor do I send my webpage to anyone to clutter up their inbox.  If someone wants to follow my blog that is fine but I never want it to become annoying. 

So just what am I going to do to change my habits?  I have chosen to have the phone with me when I am away from home in case of an emergency.  I make very few, if any, personal calls from my cell.  I check my phone in the morning and again at night before I go to bed, and I am being more discretionary when I take photos.  I will not use it at the table and if I am around people I will put it away.  Even if all I do is sit in the room and watch them twiddle their thumbs.  Anything that becomes as important as my Iphone I see as an idol in my life.  If it steals my time when I could be doing something constructive, or helping someone else, it is no longer a tool but an intruder.  Each one of us must choose what is best for our own lifestyle.  All I want to do is to continue HAVING a life; real conversations, personal relationships, time with friends, or even just more time alone accomplishing the goals I have.  I would also like to spend more time being available to do what God has called me to do, by reaching out to other people.  I crave relationships much more than I crave what an IPhone can do for me.

Following is the poem I wrote early this morning without a clue as to what my blog topic would be.  I didn’t even remember what I wrote until I just read it over again.  I think it goes well with this blog today because it is where my heart is.  My poem will also be “MY THANK YOU’S”.

AS YOU BECKON ME COME

By Kathleen Martens

May 26, 2016

Thank You Lord

For always listening.

With sunshine heart

My joy is glistening.

So good to know

You’re always there

And waiting patiently

Your time to share.

Thank You Father

For holding me close,

Your arms around me

Dispelling my woes.

Thank You for grandeur

Of beautiful sky

As well as for wings

Of a butterfly.

So much You offer

For my pleasure.

Living in the moment

My sweetest treasure.

Thank You Lord

For miraculous designs

Of dazzling sunsets

Amidst swirling lines.

And the feel of grass

Between my toes

After a summer rain

Comes and goes.

And fragrances too

That waft on the breeze,

All the magical moments

For me to seize.

But most of all

You love the best,

As You beckon me come

Into Your rest.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!