Pay Attention

I continue to be fascinated by the advances in technology.  From HD televisions to cell phones to tablets to computers, the power and ability of these devices continues to grow.  In many ways they dominate our lives.

            I am grateful to have a computer.  Mine is only a few months old, and I can carry it in my book satchel.  Yet it has the ability to store more documents than any other computer I have ever had. 

            Computers can help us in so many ways.  We can look up information in a flash. We can communicate with people on the other side of the planet.  We can pay bills and sell stuff as well.  They can be a blessing.

            But as I already mentioned, they can dominate our lives. How many times have I seen families eating together in restaurants, but they are not talking with each other? All of them are texting someone else on their phones. They are together, but they are not together.

Many years ago, the preacher who did pre-marital counseling with my then fiancé and me taught us an invaluable lesson.  We were sitting in his living room, talking about our upcoming marriage.  His phone rang. But Brother Smith continued to talk to us.  The phone rang again, and Tina and I looked at it and then at each other. We wondered when he would answer it. By the time it rang the third and fourth times you could tell that the two of us were a bit tense. And that’s when the lesson took place.

            Brother Smith looked at us and said, “You know what I have learned?  When that thing rings, if you just sit still and stay quiet it will eventually stop.”  In that moment he told us, “Right now I am with you, and you are more important.  Whoever is calling will call back if it matters. But now you are my priority.”

            I have not always lived by that lesson. But I know I should.  When you are with your family or friends give them your attention. When you are in worship or prayer, concentrate on the Lord.  Have priorities and live by them.  You’ll be glad you did.