Today I’m sitting at my local coffee shop reading my Bible and catching up on some work. My normal table top has the following items: Bible, phone, iPad, espresso drink and a couple of napkins.
While capturing some of my devotional thoughts, I got startled by a little boy that stood right next to me and asked: “Is that one of those iPads that you’re working on?” He was about 10 years old, but was pretty able to talk tech with me. We had about a 5 minute, highly engaging conversation. The entire time I kept looking around the room to see if he was connected to an adult. As a fellow parent, I didn’t want to cause another parent any concern as their son continued to talk on and on with me.
I saw two mothers having a coffee meeting with a handful of kids nearby – my assumption is that this lad was connected to them, but then they all gathered up and left the building. I said to my talkative new friend: “Is that your family? Do you need to go with them?” He replied: “Oh no, my Dad is over there in the corner. He’s texting, as usual.”
Texting, as usual. Obviously, the keys words here are “as usual.”
There is nothing wrong with texting. I do it often. I pretty much use each and every form of communication that exists. I’m waiting for smoke signals to come back into vogue ’cause I’ll make use of that medium as well. So, my point has nothing to do with the form. It has to do with the frequency.
“As usual.”
Minutes passed and I never saw the Dad look up from his phone to check on his son’s whereabouts. Even when the boy went back to his table and shared about “that guy’s iPad” I never saw him engage in conversation. Perhaps what he was typing on his phone was a pressing matter, I don’t know and can’t judge. But I can ponder on those biting words.
“As usual.” Those words were tough for me to hear. I’ve heard similar ones before from my own kids. “Dad, you have another meeting?” “Are you out of town again?” Like most parents, it’s not easy to juggle a family and heavy work-load. Balance is a bugger. But in the end, what do you want to have done well? Where do you want to have succeeded? Hopefully, your heart declares: “My family.” Mine does. Today my heart was reminded and challenged by a young boy that said two key words: “As usual.”
Are you challenged? How are you finding balance in these areas? Chime in and share your thoughts.