A few months ago when I went to the dotMOM conference, 3 different mom speakers touched on cell phones, social media, and the growing need for kids, moms, and families to experience life unplugged from electronics in a world that seems to be more focused on the virtual world than reality. Each spoke differently, but it was a common theme throughout!
I listened, God tugged at my heart there, and I kind of began my own observations of what these women communicated, trying myself to make more of a conscious effort to be more present in reality. It surprised me at first, because I never realized how connected I was to my phone. For months now I have just sat back and observed; at the playgrounds, at dinner times, around family, different events. What I observed not only fascinated me, but devastated me. I took Landry to an indoor playground on a yucky day one day and just watched him play. I also watched as every single parent with a child playing there had their head down, looking at their cell phone instead of their child. I don't know them, or their circumstances, and I certainly am not judging any one of them. I answered a few texts and a phone call myself, but I tried very hard to just leave my cell phone in the diaper bag as much as possible. Up until this conference, I didn't even realize that was a problem, which means that I was more engrossed in checking txts, emails, and Facebook than watching my own precious child. Jake and I watched a dad at Chick-fil-a not long ago barely look up from his cell phone as his son desperately tried to get his attention and got angry with him for "interrupting" him. Again, not judging, just another observation of how God has taken a tug at my own heart to teach me through the art of observation. I have put Landry to sleep many nights rocking him or sitting beside his crib with him with one hand on him and one hand scrolling through facebook or texting. That sentence actually brings tears to my eyes now, because I never even knew I had such a problem being present with those sitting in front of me. I think about all those missed opportunities to pray for him, or sing to him, or just watch him and soak him up because I was "boredom surfing"
Almost anywhere I have gone or any situation I have been in lately has presented these kind of situations again and again. And the more and more I observe, the more and more my own phone, computer, or electronic whatever seems to repulse me. I have asked God to make me more conscientious of my electronic usage, especially around my children and family. I never want my children to have to think that whatever I am doing on my cell phone is more important than they are. Ever. And I have found that it is hard to not get "bored" with the monotonous; whether it be reading the same book 100 times in a row, or watching Landry shoot a basket for the 50th time in a row. I am now learning to find joy and humor in that kind of stuff now.
There are definitely times where you have to take care of business. I had one of those days the other day where I felt like I spent the majority of the day on the phone instead of playing with Landry and it brought me and him to frustration and tears. In our world today, it is very hard to distance yourself for too long from your cell phone, but God is teaching me so much. It is ok to not answer every text, every phone call, or catch every facebook status update. It is ok to leave your friends hanging for longer than 10 minutes in words with friends or whatever other social media game you are addicted to. It is ok to leave your cell phone in your car, diaper bag, or at home if it means you get to enjoy the conversation of others in reality.
I just felt led to explain maybe why you may find it harder to get a hold of me, but also to encourage everyone else to live a more unplugged and reality intentional life! Let me encourage you to just be fully present with those in front of you. Landry just woke up from his epic nap, so I am getting off of here!!!
