I just got a new cell phone. I had to switch providers because I couldn’t make phone calls in my house because the coverage was so bad (that is a whole different story!). As I brought my new phone home, I had to start the chore of getting everything set up the way I wanted it to be. My last phone was fine, but now that I had to kinda start over, maybe I should rearrange things? Maybe I should think about new widgets, or download a few more apps. Before I knew it, I had taken something I thought would be simple and wasted 4 hours of my life “setting up” my phone.
Now this wouldn’t be a big deal if I was on vacation or had some extra time, but right now – with the last week of the kids in school and performances and Christmas parties – I don’t have a ton of time. Even worse, last night I went away into a little tech shell and didn’t really talk with anyone. When my kids came up for hugs, I gave the obligatory paternal hug, but didn’t really engage with them.  I don’t know why I can so easily get lost in something that is not really that important to me. I enjoy technology, but when I am in the “figuring it out” phase, I can get grumpy. I have fought this, with varying degrees of success, over the years – and I am obviously still working on it.
Stay on guard, brothers and sisters. So quickly can stress set in and we can become totally different people. As this year ends and the next year begins, there will be changes. Make sure those in those changes you don’t lose the growth you have gained with Jesus, and the habits you have with Him.
