Alldone hello? Alldone hello?

These were the words coming out of my almost two-year-old’s mouth. For further clarification, Noah calls a phone a “hello”. “All done” is simply what he says when either he is all done with something, or he wants YOU to be all done with something.

Yesterday, he wanted me to be “all done“ with my phone.

I can’t really blame him. I myself have come to realize in the last couple of weeks that I have become somewhat addicted to my iPhone.

The evidence is overwhelming against me:

1. On my nightstand there rests a bible, a book by Max Lucado, and my iPhone. Which do you think I put down last before bed? My iPhone. The other two are lucky if they get picked up at all.

2. While my eyes are still barely open in the morning, the first thing I do is reach over, grab my phone, and check my email.

Check my email? First thing.

3. I will check my email on my phone while I am driving (even if I am 5 blocks from my house).

4. Throughout the day I will continually check for texts, emails or any other random blog update.

Needless to say, this is becoming a problem. Is this the way I want my son to remember me? On Thursday night, a friend was telling a group of us how awesome her mom is because she has always read her bible.

What will Noah say someday?

“Yeah I remember my mom was always on her phone doing something”

If I could script it, I would prefer he say,

“Yeah, my mom was always in the Word, she was such a godly woman with a sweet spirit, always praying”

Doesn’t that sound much better?

But his memories are happening right now. I will never get any moment back that has already passed and I have no time to lose. It’s not too late to show my son that there are more important things than being connected to everyone and everything at every moment. I want him to know that it is important to connect with our Father in heaven, to check in with HIM throughout the day. I want him to learn that when a crisis arises we should talk to Jesus about it first, not the top five people in our family plan. I want him to understand that time with those you love is far more valuable than time with a computer or other piece of technology.

Years ago I heard a pastor talk about not answering the phone during dinner with the family or time out with a friend. He said we shouldn't sacrifice time with the person who is present with us in exchange for a conversation with someone who isn't there. We should be present wherever we are. This has stuck with me and I generally don't answer the phone during dinner. However, now that cell phones are so prevalent, I answer my phone every other time of the day. Perhaps not when spending quality time with a friend, but how about when I'm spending quality time with Noah? Am I sacrificing the present with him for the urgency of a ringing phone or a dinging of an incoming text?

My husband and I decided long ago that we wouldn't 1) have a TV in our bedroom and 2) use our laptops together while sitting on the couches in the family room. Those just seemed like dangerous ways to promote being in the same room but not really connecting with each other. It has gone along swimmingly... until I recently noticed that now we will both be on our iPhones while sitting in the family room. That's not much different is it?

How have we become so controlled by technology? We *THINK* that every step forward gives us control... but the reality is, it's the other way around.

I have been convicted and challenged these last few weeks. I think the way I have been living is wrong and I am going to change it.

From now on:
- If my day starts with my iPhone, it will be because I am playing worship on it.
- The last thing my eyes will see at night will be the Word of God.
- I will break my habit of email checking by not checking it unless I'm home.
- I will pray out loud daily and read scriptures so Noah learns by my example what is truly important.

I know that I am not the only one who has this addiction. I hope everyone who reads this feels challenged in some way to re-prioritize their "connections". Is your child, your marriage, or your God telling you "Alldone hello"? Maybe for you it's "Alldone computer" or "Alldone Playstation". Every day, we are given ample opportunities to sacrifice the magnificent for the mundane...

Let's take some ground back today and put the magnificent back in it's rightful place - at the top of our priority list.

It's all about the mouse

I was watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" the other day (something that I have learned to love since having a toddler) and had a surprising and interesting thought. It went something like this:

"That is very unrealistic to think that all of the other characters are fine with EVERYTHING being about Mickey! The clubhouse is his, the grounds surrounding it are filled with things shaped like his head, and every episode involves everyone helping him help someone else. In real life, there would be issues with the fact that the lake is shaped like his head and the park is named after him and that literally EVERYTHING... is about Mickey." Even Goofy's bubble invention had the patented Head Logo on it!


I realize this is a pretty strange thought while watching a cartoon because, really, hasn't one already suspended reality enough to even watch a cartoon about mice, ducks, dogs and cows all hanging out in a clubhouse? But it entered my mind nonetheless. Real life doesn't function this way. People are too self-absorbed to ever allow one character to wholeheartedly shine. They would be grumbling "what about me?", "what about a mountain the shape of my big goofy head?" or "how come it can't be Daisy Park?"


No, this is a dog-eat-dog world and people like to feel important and be noticed. In Mickey's world, everyone from Minnie Mouse to Pete (the one quasi-sinister fellow), seem perfectly content with the arrangement.

They don't mind one bit that their friend is THE Mickey Mouse. They seem happy just to take part in his world.

Two weeks ago I was reading a passage out of John and I couldn't help but make a connection... (finding the magnificent in the mundane, no?)

John 3:25-36
An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."

To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

He must become greater; I must become less".

John the Baptist was awesome. From the time he leapt in his mother's womb at the sound of Mary's voice (Luke 1:41) to the time of his death, he knew that his life would be spent pointing to another man's life. In this passage you don't hear John grumbling back to his disciples "get my publicity on this - tell everyone out there that my baptisms are more effective... yeah, that should get the numbers up". He didn't mope into the desert, frustrated that his ministry to the people was in transition and many were leaving. He wasn't concerned about his reputation or his followers. No, he compared himself to a best man at a wedding. An important role indeed, but not THE role of the event. The job of the best man is to support the groom, and to help him to prepare for his wedding day. People are pleased when they see the best man at the front of the church, but only because it is clear this man was important to the groom. The groom, however, is the one that everyone has come to see (and the bride, of course!). John knew that he was there as a support and friend to Jesus, and he knew that the glory of that day did not belong to him, but to Jesus.

He didn't mind one bit that his friend was THE Jesus. He just seemed happy to take part in His world.

We can learn a lot from John's humble example. We have no problem pointing to Jesus and deferring all praise and accolades to Him - that is a no-brainer. However, I think we tend to be more competitive. Many of us (especially extroverts) would rather BE the spotlight than the worker simply pointing it. When I was in ministry there were times where I actually got my feelings hurt if someone told me of some great preacher they enjoyed. "What about me?" I would think, "hasn't my preaching ruined you for all other preachers? Don't they sound dull and rambling compared to my eloquent and challenging style?"

Hello, reality check!

When others around us seem to accelerate beyond us: Instead of being jealous, let us rejoice. Instead of feeling slighted, let us offer congratulations. Instead of moping, let us move on into the great things God has for US.

John the baptist knew who he was and who he followed. Beyond that he didn't care much for what people thought or where they were at in their lives. He only cared what the Lord thought. Let us take that to heart. Know who you are and the One who loves you. That's it. Follow what He has for you and let Him worry about the details of everyone else.

I guarantee you'll be happier because of it.