The Loop (06/22/2026)

This past week, I got in trouble several times because of our modern day “loops.” For instance, I put my phone on vibrate when I went to church Sunday morning. I forgot to switch it back to sound. So, I didn’t hear incoming calls or texts. And understandably, I didn’t respond to either instantly because I wasn’t even aware of them. And in today’s “instant” response expectations, I sort of blew it.

I remember when we lived in a world with only landlines and when we actually called one another to have a conversation rather than a stream of texts because we rarely think to include all the details in the first message. Whereas in a conversation, we can listen, clarify, question and respond in seconds. I wonder if we’d become more present to one another again if we banned cells and only used landlines.

I want to be “in the loop” with family and friends, but I must admit, also that at times I get frustrated with all the cell alerts. It is distracting. It takes me out of the moment as I check out what’s blowing up in my pocket. It amazes me how many people post multiple times daily on Facebook. I have Facebook, and I think the last time I posted anything was at Thanksgiving. But then again, I’m not discovering new continents nor experiencing enlightenment on a regular basis.

The LORD created us in His image and likeness and calls us to be present and loving to others at all times. Today we might think that means being in the loop and friends with the world, but I wonder if it really means the opposite – being aware of the LORD at work in our world and moments and being aware of those around us and of their needs. What would our world look like if we treated those whom we see well every moment of every day for love of our LORD and them?

As we’ve gone from tribal or village mentality to global mentality, we haven’t gotten better at loving one another. Maybe we would do well to decrease the size of our loops and focus more on the needs and well-being of those around us in the moment. My grandmother Lena taught me years ago that the world would be a better place if we took care of those we see well. Imagine a world of loving loops intertwining and overlapping across our world.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.