Late in the Summer, our church always has a huge service/picnic at a local park.
It’s a great opportunity to not only be outside, but to gather together and hang out with other church goers in a way that isn’t always done.
In a word, it’s refreshing.
Here is what I noticed;
Note that the pastors are standing in front of a large screen.
It’s there of course so that folks can see even if they are far away.
Here’s the thing;
Even though I was up close and personal, I still found myself looking at the screen instead of the pastors.
I must admit that I find myself looking at the screen even when we are gathered inside.
While inside in Israel, I found the same thing.
Note that the lovely Jane is also on a screen.
(In my defense I was in the back of the room, and the screen came in very handy)
I’ve since been looking around everywhere I go, and I see the same thing.
I know that you do too.
Screens are predominant.
They are every where, being held by every one.
Look what we are doing here even now, looking at a screen.
It can be said that we are creating relationship, and in a way we are; but there is a large drawback;
I’m speaking for myself when I say this;
It is far easier for me to talk to others, from the other side of a screen.
It’s easier for me to watch a movie or a video than to read a book.
My concentration level has been greatly decreased since the advent of screens everywhere in my life.
So what can we do?
Personally, I have had to say yes to more “Social” things than I have in the past.
Places where I have to leave my phone in my pocket, with the volume turned off.
Places where I am expected to actually speak instead of type.
Our kids have more screen time than is healthy for them, many are provided with laptops instead of regular books.
Now I don’t mind telling you that sometimes I have the attention span of a gnat!
I do however have training that came from a time BEFORE screen time and 280 character rants.
For this, I am grateful; at least I know it is POSSIBLE to read and write.
This is the only world my grandchildren have ever known.
Looking a screens, speaking in memes and emojis.
Are we spoiling our children’s ability to read, and comprehend?
I have noted, and actually heard it said, that when trying to memorize Bible verses, one can do it much better in an actual Bible than on some kind of device.
Is it like turning off the device turns off your brain as well?
So reading and memorizing is tactile as well as mental?
I gave a postcard to one of my grand daughters after our trip to Israel.
She commented that she could barely read cursive; but just enough to know what I had written on the card.
Do you have any ideas that you would care to share about how you handle screen time in your life and realm?
Please do share with us in the comments any ideas you may have on this topic.
Perhaps we can make a difference here.
Until next time….
Significant Encounters 
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