Hello…Do You Hear Me?

I noticed it again today. First it was my son and then my daughter. Each one took their turn focusing their eyes and attention on to me, yet my eyes were glued to the tiny screen resting in my hands.  Hello do you hear me? I knew he was there, and I gently nodded along with the conversation. Scratch that. I silently muted his monologue since it takes two people to have a conversation.

What example have I established for my kids when they see mom sending out a quick text into the invisible communication world while they are standing right next to me desiring to share what is on their heart? Granted that the conversation could include settling a minor dispute or putting out a fire (hopefully not literal).  Either way, I am sending the same message.  Mom is on the phone.  I’m too busy to hear what you have to say.  Don’t interrupt.

I remember the protocol as a kid that when mom or dad are on the phone everyone else is to be quite and find something else to do until they are done.  Yet, does the same rule apply to today when we are shooting out a message?  Do the kids need to be quite and wait or do they deserve our full attention?  Or, do we need to put away our phones and spend a little less time looking at our screens or waiting for the next message to appear?

Today’s experience made me stop and think a little deeper.  By choosing to ignore those around me is no different than putting up my hand and saying “Talk to the hand…”  because I don’t have time for you right now when in all reality, I do have the time, it’s how I am choosing to spend it.  Am I wasting away time in conversations that can wait instead of enjoying the ones around me?  Am I setting a Christ like example for my kids or do I look like the rest of the world?  For I am called by God to not be

When my expectations are less than what God has called me to be, the effect trickles down into the next generation.  It is my choice to make a difference and to make my expectations match with Gods and that begins by simply setting aside my cell phone and paying attention to the gifts that have been bestowed to me.