From Chaos to Calm: Day 72
You can read the rest of this series here.
Scripture Memory: We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. James 3:2
A few weeks ago, I was on facebook and noticed a “status” on a friend’s page that went something like this:
Family time: Mom’s on iphone, daughter’s on iphone, son’s on ipad, Dad’s on laptop.
That one little quip really bothered me. It sounded funny. But not really. It’s the sign of a disconnected family. Everyone off in their own little cyber space world. It’s what’s wrong with America today. It bothers me. I don’t want to be that family.
Now, honestly, I’ve never considered computer time, family time. I monitor the kids usage daily, their devices are passworded and only I know the password. They have to have permission to get on. I’ve never believed it was healthy to have your head in “the box” for hours on end on a daily basis. But at the same time, I felt like we were missing something as a family.
In our house, as busy as we are, we have a basic routine to our days. The kids do their school work then get their chores done so they can have “free time.” More often than not, as soon as their chores were done the request would come in, “Mom, can I get on my computer (or kindle, ipod, etc.)?”
I realized that free time was no longer about discovering new interests, working on a hobby, learning a new skill, having quiet down time, or taking a walk. It was more and more about being wired to facebook or Messenger.
I have felt, for a long time, robbed of my time. But who was really stealing it? ME. Do you feel robbed of your time?
Is your family disconnected? Perhaps it’s time to put a restraint on the electronics in the house.
[Tweet “Instead of dreaming about the perfect life, get up and live it.”]
I can’t count the times I would read someone’s blog, thinking their life sounded so perfect, wishing mine was, and then telling myself – “Instead of dreaming about the perfect life, get up and live it.” I have always had a pretty good life. No, a really good life. A wonderful life. But now, after limiting the internet and even disconnecting it for days or weeks at a time,… it seems all the more so.
The simple life… is the good life.
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