The High Tech Blues

I am typing on my phone. 

As marvelous as it is that I can do this, and as grateful as I am for my phone, give me a computer monitor and keyboard any day! The monitor at the jail, in the Chaplain's office where I volunteer with said Chaplain, aka the Saxophpne Player, is really (REALLY) bad. My eyes ache after an hour. Yet, I love having a real keyboard to tap-tap-tap. 

Even better, there is an actual IBM typewriter in the office, too. I adore using it. 

But, do you know what is even better than that? A good pen and a yellow, legal pad. 

Technology has it's place, but it is always disappointing me. The more advanced, the greater the pain when it fails. My husband delights in technology, but I want to break my dependency on it. He is forever searching for the perfect app to solve all his scheduling challenges. I just need my $0.99 calendar. He would have me record contributions online, but I prefer index cards. His address book is strictly digital, but I still have the address book from Hallmark which Hannah gave me on my 30th birthday. I trust paper. 

Speaking of paper, the recent issues with debit cards at Target had me wondering if we need to just stick with cash. And, we should have cash on hand, stashed under a floor board or up in the attic. Without electricity, the very basis of all technology, we be in trouble. I think we depend too much on debit cards. Was identity theft even an issue 30 years?

I know technology has its place, but it seems to me it doesn't know it's boundaries. We need to continually corral it, or it just grows out of control. We need to carefully gauge how much of it we will allow in our lives. To think that one dead battery is all it would take to shut down a business transaction or medical procedure or any number of other important events is sobering for me. 

And, it's just not right. Precious photos and videos, for example, that only exist digitally, are a heartache just waiting to happen. We should not put all our confidence in technology. I don't know how I am going to fix my own dependency, but I must try. 

Do you have a high tech dependency you want to fix?

No One's Listening, But I'll Keep Talking

Just an update kinda post. Nothing special happening here.

I have decided to take a break from Facebook. It was a spontaneous decision made for two important reasons: to keep myself from posting something that could be misconstrued, and to keep myself from believing that people are actually paying attention.

Christmas Day was very unexpected. Events occurred which have left me asking more questions about my life than I thought I still had to ask. I've also had to face some hard realities that make me very sad. And, disappointed. And, concerned.

It also cemented in my heart some convictions. And, brought some things into the light. Not all bad stuff. Some very hard stuff, but not all bad.

In other news, the new year is just around the corner, and I am a wee bit terrified about all that is happening. Some important meetings await us, and I am not ready. My responsibilities within the ministry are much heavier than I feel capable of carrying. Physically, I am challenged, too. I am starting to pray for the Lord to give us an elliptical. I need something that moves my joints. I need exercise that demands exertion. I think the elliptical would do that. Since the end of my gardening season, it's like my body is just freezing up. Anyway, blah-blah-blah. But, it is a little scary to feel like a hard wind will send me crashing into a million pieces. My body is too high maintenance.

AND ANOTHER THING

More than ever, I am recognizing the importance of women. Ladies, if you forsake the God-given influence you have in your family, you will be sorry for the rest of your lives. And, there may be dire circumstances for your choices. There is a wrong kind of submission, and too many women choose that path, because it is easier than standing against their husband's unrighteous leadership. I know that is a bold thing to say, but I feel very strongly that there is much truth in that statement. There is a way to stand righteously against our husbands, but we have to first believe this is even possible. And, then we have to have the courage to do it. The courage of Esther. Our children and our grandchildren are counting on us. We must heed the Holy Spirit at all cost.  

God bless you, and keep you. And, may He give you the courage and strength to stand for righteousness in your relationships and home.