Technology or No Technology, That Is the Question!

How did we travel without GPS? How did we communicate long-distance? How did we entertain ourselves while waiting? How did we locate information we wanted to complete tasks and answer questions?  Some days I wonder, how did we do anything without our hand-held devices?

This might come as a surprise -- we used to use our brains and a variety of resources to draw conclusions, solve problems, infer, build connections, and make decisions.  All on the power of our own brains working with the information we found in the world around us.  And, we communicated differently, and in my memory, a lot more than we do now.

Our family uses technology on a daily basis, and in one marked way, probably differently from most families. With an often-traveling husband and dad, we rely on technology to stay connected in the day-to-day that our Business Traveler misses too often, and he, in turn, keeps us apprised of his whereabouts, discoveries, and beautiful or interesting sights along his way.  Technology keeps us connected in a good way.  We tune in to each other, share our day, toss a few photos of unique/surprising/funny instances into the ether, and generally know as much of the scoop as possible from hundreds or thousands of miles away.  We think about each other, and want to maintain closeness when distance changes our relationships.

So, then we get under the same roof and within the same four walls.  What could be closer?  Do we not chat like long-lost friends and share our thoughts, our discoveries, and our family bond?

Here's where it gets dicey.

Most of our four-some, when physically present, have a tendency to populate the same room but communicate with others outside this space from behind dimly-lit screens. Silence fills the room we actually inhabit, though sometimes chuckling or laughter ensues, but we do not share the joke made by an invisible invader in our home.  We might as well be at a bus stop with strangers. Together, yes, but not connected.

Ugh.

We have the opportunity to spend time together, yet that very technology that unites us divides us.  Reaching into other relationships with anticipation and without warning (no ringing, no talking), we abandon the humans in the moment ... right in front of us ... on the other side of the room.

This scene has hit thousands of relationships with full force, with the power to destroy them.  My dear ones are too dear for me to sit and watch this, and so I stopped watching (occasional relapses, yes, but on the whole, I zip my lips and avert my eyes).  I'm not perfect as I scroll Facebook occasionally, or get lost in a sea of Pinterest-ing recipes.  I try to keep my screen time at a minimum, and use the desktop computer to keep myself accountable for all to see.  Like now.

I used to make comments to my dear people here.  I used to ... ahem ... nag.  I used to give examples of the ill effects technology has on the brain, body, and relationships.  I used to sigh a lot.  I used to walk emphatically in to the kitchen and entertain myself by doing the dishes (most-detested task of all time).

Instead, I am learning to pray on it.

I pull out a book, knit, work on a chapter in my journaling Bible, and pray between the rows or lines as I go.

I get some eye rolls when I mention this tactic, but it's His idea, not mine.  as Matthew 11:28-30 says,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Who am I to question the Father of All?  And I am weary -- of feeling ignored, of receiving complaints, of seeing little or no change in the situation.  And I realize when I try to intervene for the good of love and family, I appear to my loved ones as the squawking seagulls in the animated film, "Finding Nemo."

My dear family sees me wanting it my way, staring them down, waiting impatiently, and demanding.

When I ask God to handle the situation, things happen.  Conversations start.  Screens go dark.  Life begins to hum a little differently.  It's not completely without flaws (these screens call loudly in the the mind, offering immediate feedback with little effort), but my version of initiating change fails and pales in comparison to God Almighty's ways.

Perfect.  All-knowing.  Ever-present.  Full of grace.

Thank you, God, for doing what I cannot, and proving to me that you, as always, are right.