Plugging In

 I woke up this morning and wandered into the living room.  It was light out, but the room was dim, so first thing, I plugged the Christmas tree in.  I let the dog out, made coffee, and then retreated to my office to do a little writing and have some quiet time.  When I got in there, my chair was piled with a speaker system recently used at a friend's birthday party.  I wanted to listen to some music while I worked, so before I got started with anything else, I took the speakers and plugged them in.

Recently, I packed for a trip and secretly hoped The Pastor didn't come in the room while I was stuffing things into my bag.  Mr. low-tech just doesn't understand all the technology required for a proper vacation, or what it takes to keep said technology charged up and ready to use.  Besides the laptop and power cord, I obviously need chargers for my iPod, cell phone, digital camera, and camcorder.  Much is required to keep my life running, and rather than the regular amenities, my main concern when choosing a hotel is how many power outlets they have in the rooms.  I require a lot of plugging in.  (And we haven't even discussed electric hair-care products.)

A week or so ago, I noticed that I'd neglected to plug in something very important.  Myself.  I felt drained and tired; dry and alone.  I looked over at my Bible, which hadn't been touched since the Sunday before.  I considered my prayer life, which had consisted of selfish words mumbled as I fell off to sleep each night; and I thought about the mental energy I'd wasted on the wrong things.  I realized that it had been too long since I had properly connected with my power source. Maybe that happens a little more easily during the Christmas season (which is actually very ironic), but either way, I better continually address the issue or I will lose "charge".

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go plug in....

Longing For Simplicity

Pinch me--I must be dreaming.  The Pastor has decided he might like to get an iPad.  Following his lead when I decided I might like to get a gun, there's a large part of me that doesn't want to let the grass grow before we run down to the store and make this purchase. But there's another part of me that hesitates.

Maybe it's the imminent pressure of the holiday season or maybe it's just that overwhelming desire to maintain control of life, but lately, I've had a longing for simplicity. There's a battle surrounding all the junk in my life. I've described my technological dilemma before, but let me review.  While I firmly believe that technology, gadgets, the internet, and smartphones serve more to complicate our lives than help them, I remain hopelessly and unabashedly, a gadget lover.

My favorite childhood Christmas memories are of getting something, anything electronic.  When I was little, it was my Frogger watch.  You could actually tell time on it and play Frogger.  How cool is that? (although my teacher made me take it off in class after once forgetting to turn the sound off and thereby revealing that I was playing it.)  As I got older it was various stereos, mini-TV's, Walkmans, video games, etc..  I like to deny it, but I have a proven track record of being a technology junkie.

iPods, netbooks, smartphones, laptops--as I mature (ha), I have to stop and ask myself if I really need them.  Are they enhancing my life or just dividing my attention?  Do they help me organize or just exacerbate my ADD?  These are serious questions that must be given an answer.  I believe I'll think about it and make a decision...right after we buy that iPad.

Thankful For What?

I'll admit, sometimes I'm guilty of a cynical attitude.  I know I'm called to be grateful for the things I have, but my circumstances swallow me up and I end up taking a swim in the pool of self pity.  I observe those around me who have more stuff and wonder why I can't afford to have the same things.  I leave the grocery store peeved because there were a few items I really wanted to get that just didn't make the cut this week and will have to wait until next--or maybe not at all.  I wish I had nicer furniture and a faster internet connection. When I see what others have, I'm envious and feel sorry for myself. 

Oh, I'm grateful for what I have, I just wish I had more.  There's a line in the children's book by Dr. Suess, Yertle the Turtle, where King Yertle says, "I'm ruler of all that I see, but I don't see enough.  That's the trouble with me."  He had everything he needed, but still wanted more. 

I just finished reading a book called The Hole In Our Gospel, written by Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision.  I hated this book.  It was awful.  You should read it.  I'm not going to go into detail, because my point is not to write a book review.  But, the book is about our call as Christians to help the poor and impoverished of this world.  It's also about how RICH we are. 

A large part of my problem of wanting more and not being thankful for what I have, is that all too often, I'm comparing myself to the wrong people.  I look at those who have more than me and wonder why I don't have what they have, rather than considering those with less than me (which according to the book is 99% of all people in the world!) and being immensley grateful for what I've been entrusted with.  I get bent out of shape because I don't have HD on my TV, when there are 1.2 billion people in our world who don't even have clean water.  Ouch.  That's something I certainly take for granted. 

I thought about this today as we shared Thanksgiving dinner at our church with a small group of friends.  With the cold weather and storms we've had, a pipe broke and we were forced to serve a turkey dinner with no running water.  Let me tell ya, that was a challenge.  I was inconvenienced by the fact that I had to haul some water in a huge jug from my house to the church.  I had to pause and think of those that have to haul water, by hand, every day...and it's not even good water.  Suddenly I feel a little more thankful. 

With Christmas now coming and materialism kicking into high gear, I think I'll try to keep in perspective all that I've been given and recognize the riches that are mine in Christ Jesus. 

Happy Thanksgiving!