The cell phone has made life so much easier. We can send a quick message when we are unable to talk. How great we can make a call at the grocery to ask if we need bread, etc. We can call for help if we are in an accident, or help someone else. We can reach people anywhere, at any time. We can stay connected to friends, and family in our busy lives. We can share photos, and videos so no one misses a thing. We can watch live events of about anything…..i love the ones of my grands being adorable, and funny. We can encourage others, and share the goodness of God.

On the flip side…..does anyone else find these devices a burden at times? It makes us accessible 24/7. Can we even take a shower without a call or notification? I must admit i miss the home phone days a lot lately! I am thankful I got to grow up without the devices. Someone asked me the other day if I could change one thing I did raising my kids. I instantly said NO PHONES. I firmly believe now looking back, that it takes more than it gives.

I feel like the screens are a thief of many things. How many relationships have been neglected or ruined with the aid of this device. How much precious family time has been lost? We can never get those moments back. Have you ever been in a room and every face was in a screen?

I am in no way saying it is all bad. We all get to choose how we utilize things. If you are like me though I find myself in excess at times. It even causes anxiety at times never having a break from this gadget. I think we all have been guilty of ignoring others in the room while being on our phones……people right in front of us wanting our attention. How many moments have been lost with our children?

How much better could we make our real lives while mindlessly scrolling……stepping on my own toes! How much cleaner could my home be….i could organize what i complain about…..I could be trying those new recipes i screenshot……how many more meaningful conversations could I have with people that really love me…..how many games could I play with the kids and grands……how many more prayers could I send up……how many more books could I read…..how much healthier could I be……how much more word of God could I hide my heart. I can not even imagine how much better I would sleep with this gadget locked away at bedtime.

I am in not way preaching to anyone. These are all things i need to work on. Don’t you love the days you are enjoying life so much that you forget all about your phone. You do not even get it out. I woke up this morning determined that this phone is not gonna be a jail cell for me anymore….causing anxiety and stress. The phone should be a tool we use not our life line.

I will keep you all posted on how this is going for me finding balance. Let me know the same, if it is something you are working on as well. Here is to spending more time in real life, and not being accessible 24/7. Here is to using the phone as a way to better my real life, not to be life.