A Dead Phone (09/21/2024)

My phone died. The screen went black, and nothing would bring light back to it. I took it to the phone store, and the tech tried. He confirmed my diagnosis. My phone had died. And as I looked at new options, my mind was in a flurry of recall of all that was on my dead phone: contacts, photos, texts from others. Fortunately, that invisible “cloud” that I have heard about but can’t understand was able to repopulate my contacts and photos on the new phone. But my texts were lost.

As I sat with my new phone last evening, I thought of my panic when my old phone died. During that dark period, I realized that I no longer know anyone’s phone number by heart. I had to admit that I rely on my phone calendar now rather than my date book or better yet my memory. And while I was in the dark, I was amazed at the number of times I thought I’d look up an answer on my phone only to realize the “answer machine” was broken. I realized yesterday just how reliant, how dependent I am on my cell phone. I don’t like being that dependent on an object. How do I reclaim my capabilities from modern technology?

So, I guess you could say I’m on a new adventure or more accurately on a new recovery project. Easier isn’t always better; sometimes it’s just laziness. More isn’t always better; sometimes it’s just more. I’m out to reclaim simplicity as best I can and to reclaim my capabilities that I surrendered to an object.

Modern life has a lot of “more” and a lot of “easier.” But is “more” and “easier” always good for me? That’s what I am out to find. And I began where I knew I should, in prayer, seeking the help of the Spirit to guide me, to help me in reclaiming my independence and in realizing anew that the only total reliance in my life should be in the LORD.

Our journey involves decisions moment to moment. Sometimes we need a major incident to reveal to us just how off path we’ve strayed. I know that happened to me yesterday with my phone. But I also know that the LORD comes to find us when we cry out, “I am lost.” The LORD is the Good Shepherd.

As we go forward, let us do so with confidence in the Good Shepherd, the one who hears our cries, who seeks us out, who loves us even we stray, the LORD of loving mercy, the LORD of life.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.