Monday, September 30, 2013

Taking a break.

If you’re like me, you’re constantly tuned in to what‘s happening… Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, emails, blogs (like this one), and text messages; for some of us it’s nearly 24/7!  How do we let it all go?  How do we have quality time with our friends and family?  Is it possible to take a real vacation, when your still connected to everything that’s happening back at the office?  I’m about to find out!

My husband Ed will be on a road trip – driving from New York to Florida for vacation.  During that time, I’ve decided limit my “tech time”, but I’m thinking that it’s not going to be so easy.  No more sitting side-by-side, watching TV, while playing games, reading emails, and/or checking Facebook, without talking to each other for hours.

 One of my first thoughts was to bring my iPad to fill the hours of travel.  The problem with that is then Ed will be left driving for hours all by himself, especially if I have my ear phones on.  He wouldn’t be very happy about that and neither would I, if the tables were turned.  So, I am not using it while traveling. 

Jesus spent a lot of face time with his friends and followers.  There were no computers or Internet back then, but he could have written letters, like St. Paul, though we don’t have any records of him doing so.  Jesus was up close and personal kind of guy throughout his travels.  Relationships were important to his mission, eating with tax collectors and sinners, touching those considered unclean.

It’s tempting to live a high-tech life, writing blogs, and updating the church website, texting and emailing, etc.  It’s fun, but also time consuming… and, it seems as if we’ve lost something when most of our relationships are on-line.  We can’t hear our “friends” emotions, or know that their not telling us something by their body language.  We can’t reach out to them with the comfort of a hug.  We can’t express our love with a kiss or holding their hand.  There’s a lot to be said for face-to-face time!

As I limit technology on my vacation, I’m hoping to carry it forward when I return.  It will be interesting to see, how it will affect my ministry, hugging and shaking hands whenever I can!  I’m sure there will be some withdrawal symptoms at first, but I pray that the hours I’m not “connected” will be hours filled with peace, love, and joy, as well as quality time with my family and friends.

I’ll let you know how it’s going when I get back!

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