Some are worried that we're getting so comfortable with hellos, what's up and whatnots occurring via our virtual world that we're not as interested as we use to be in things like intimate phone calls spent catching up and those potentially huge and hilariously entertaining, family reunions.
We're becoming just fine with meeting our new nieces and nephews via Shutterbug, forgoing that once in the little one's lifetime opportunity of snuggling the sugary sweet smelling newborn and establishing that connection that forms when you can say things like, "Why, I remember holding you when you were just a pup, little Billy."
We're okay with saying, "I Love You, Grandma_ Happy eighty-fifth!" via an e-card rather than making the trip over the river and through the woods to actually celebrate the special day with our precious, one of a kind, not going to be here to hug forever, Grandma. Heck, we're even skipping the thoughtful trip to the Hallmark store to at least hand pick an appropriate card showing Grandma that we care enough to send the very best! (Remember that Hallmark slogan?)
In the midst of all of our 'social networking' we're really creating a new way to disconnect.Given the lapse of time I've allowed since the last time my family and I loaded up the van and headed to our hometown up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, maybe, they're right.
I'm curious, do you think we're becoming more and more isolated and distant, forgoing experiences where we interact in person in favor of keeping tabs via the internet?
Dear God,
I see myself in that article that I read and though I'm more than a little ashamed to say it, I think they are spot on. As we scurry around being sure to tend to things like updating our status on FaceBook and keeping our Blackberries facing us, glancing down at it continually while we grab a quick bite of lunch with a friend, we're neglecting the opportunities to honestly value the person we're with and the fleeting moment we're actually in.
Some of us are to the point where we would rather write about where we're having lunch so that everyone who isn't with us can wish that maybe they were the ones there having lunch, making the person who is sitting across the table from us so completely annoyed with how we're checking out on them while checking in with the whole wide world, that they might be wishing that they weren't having lunch with us. After all, they didn't need to actually be there having lunch with us, they could have just read about it, like everyone else.
The thing is, God, I think that's how relationships with you have been going for years. Even before all of our virtual methods of connecting we often left our time with you up to the pastor or the author we're into or that fantastic TV ministry that we fit in whenever it's good for our schedule. When it comes to making time to talk with you, many of us have been relying on everything but personal one on one time with you in prayer.
That's the best thing about committing to this thirty day blogging time of prayer_ for twenty-six days in a row, I have made special time to talk with you, person to God, and every single day, I have felt that you are here with me.
Right now I ask you to help me never give up this time talking with you each day. I don't want to get to the place where if my pastor teaches a great lesson on Sunday I feel no need to touch base with you, on my own, during the six days between Sundays. I do not ever want to go back to that way of impersonal and distant, spiritual malnutrition.
As for the article that I read and the truth that hit me when I recognized my growing ability to post the photos, say the kind words and call it a day, when it comes to really connecting with those wonderful people I'm so blessed to call friend or family, help me to go the extra real mile. Anyone that you have allowed in my life deserves a genuine effort and I want them to know how truly special they are and that I appreciate the chance to know them.
Thank you for opening my eyes, God. I can always count on you.
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