No-mo

Thursday this week was monumental for me.

I ignored my phone.

Believe it.

This alone is epic. I don’t actually suffer from nomophobia. I unintentionally walk out of the cottage without the phone more often than I like to admit. Doing so not only causes Brother Cole undue concern every few weeks or so, but it forces me to shop without my lists, I miss Kodak moments, and mess up my step count (but there’s an app for that).

Still, ignoring a notification is difficult for me. It’s not a mom thing. I admit its about living alone and sometimes needing to be needed – moreover remembered.

Astounding as it is, I’ve only recently come to fully appreciate my personal space. Until some weeks ago this strange aloneness took me to such extremes I looked for – and found – things to keep me busy.

There were chores – laundry (for one person), cooking, dishes (again, it’s just me), dusting, tending livestock (ahem, that aren’t actually mine)…  Seriously, who dusts a barn? And yet I struggled getting around to organizing, decorating or (gasp) my job!

Unsettling as this was I thought my prayer life was good – while I was actually praying. But when all my other personal needs took a back seat to anything anyone else may have wanted, any time – and there’s nobody else to blame – forget Houston, Heaven, we have a problem.

Immediately I prayed for help with this. God’s response came quickly – and actually annoyed me initially.

During my quiet time early on Thursday the phone sounded repeatedly. I assumed Cole was in a mood – it happens. We have an understanding – when he actually needs me he can call.

Hard as it was, I ignored the phone.

Later I found that not only the earth still turned without my help, but the text was actually DearFriend sharing Scripture God put on her heart for me.

The breakthrough? I realize I must choose to constantly make my relationship with God my highest priority. As I practice doing this, I get to see myself the way Jesus sees me – beloved. No matter what else. And I adore Him right back.

Ridiculous as it is, after trying to run the universe for the first part of my life, this relax-and-let-God-be-God thing is still a challenge. Still, after diligent practice, on Thursday DearFriend helped confirm I am beginning to grasp the handle on it.

So, occasionally pity parties leave me feeling slightly disappointed that I wound up living alone. Fact: God is always with me – even when I try to ignore Him, run or hide from Him. And He always graciously reminds me, this story’s far from over.

I am God’s beloved. That’s enough today.

“Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:6-7 (NLT)

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Braining my way around a technical challenge, buried beneath a pile of work, deadlines I can’t ignore; I should call my IT guy. Shucks! I really wanted to figure it out myself.

My challenge today, cookies. Forget about the Cookie Monster, I’m a cookie junkie!

 

 

 

Yet as much as I love them, cookies are not my friends – especially not in cyber world. It’s not that they’re villainous, I’m simply that picky about my privacy. I like WordPress, but WordPress doesn’t appreciate my settings.

Temptation to change my settings (just so I can simply click “like” on a blog post) almost snared me – until I recalled the lecture the last time IT Guy had to “fix” my laptop. In that adorable, overly-controlled voice Quinn said, “Mom, do not change your security settings without first talking with me.”

One accidental drag across my touch pad cost Quinn a few hours of sleep. It cost me far more hours of compromised work time, two dozen homemade cookies, packaging, next day shipping and several more trips around the park (to burn what I had to sample).

Still, I’m grateful he found the malware and “fixed” my Pandora issue too. I was glad to pay up.

He also explained how, because my settings do not allow all cookies, I can’t simply “like” many posts from my laptop. Don’t get me started on blogs insisting I’m not logged in.

I get around it all on my trusty, old GS3 cell, despite the frustratingly tiny keypad. Tells when I post from the cell are obvious. Some of the typos have been entertaining. I.e., speech-to-text translated “Roo, I felt…” to “Roosevelt.” I like that, Roo Sevelt. But most errors are simply embarrassing.

I appreciate peer approval, and I sow where I like to reap. A well-timed “like,” notification or comment can refresh my perspective. So what if WordPress disallowing my pretty gold star trips me out sometimes.

Though great friendships have developed, that’s not why I write and I don’t blog solely for stats. Still, I appreciate friendly confirmation that my work’s worth reading. Disallowing cookies may cost me some effort and keystrokes, but the blogging community and my security is worth it. I hope my fellow bloggers also graciously understand my using WordPress with old technology.

I’m a somewhat obscure blogger, but God sees me. I can trust Him with my needs. Not that I couldn’t be content with a Surface Pro 4! ‘Just watching for that Random House deposit to post… What? Oh, I must’ve dozed off. I was having that lovely dream – again.

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Philippians 4:11 (NLT)

Images courtesy of Pixabay

 

Misdial

 *

I feel like I should touch base with my counselor – I’m that happy – over a misdial:

Cell: “Hey! Answer the phone. Why won’t you answer the phone? Why don’t you want to talk to me…” It’s my “anybody else” ring tone that I rarely hear. I chuckled, imagining it playing in a crowded elevator.

Me: *clearing my throat to sound more professional* “This’s EVA.”

Voice on cell: *slight hesitation* “Oh, excuse me. I must have dialed the wrong number, please excuse me.”

Me: “Oh if I never did that too. {And then, honestly kidding}  At least I’m not someone you want to get straight.”

Voice on cell: *Another pause* “Funny you say that, I was calling someone to talk something out.”

Me: “I’m Roo. I don’t want to offend you, but do you want to pray first?”

Awkward pause. I imagine someone on the other end staring at their phone. Dang, I need a better filter. I feel sheepish.

Voice on cell: “Roo? From WordPress?”

Me: *Pause again.* “Uh… Yes. I don’t imagine it’s a common name. Are you a blogger?”

Voice on cell: “Yes, I blog on WordPress, in fact.”

Me: “That could explain how you pressed the wrong contact button. Can I ask your blog name? Hand on the Bible, I swear I don’t have time to harass or troll you.”

Voice on cell: Chuckling, “This is Me. A while back I read one of your posts.  A few minutes after I messaged you, you texted me. That’s how I have your number in my cell…

I silently wonder if they can hear my smiling.

Voice on Cell: Hey, I only have a moment, but let’s pray…”

Prayer time with someone I don’t actually know recharged the rest of the day.

This blogging community is so amazing, I want to point you to some more friends. Do stop by and say hello. You don’t have to call:

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” **

Mesca at Psychochromatic Redemption
Charles French at On Words, Reading and Writing
Caitlin at Joy-Full Happenings
Jacqui Murray at World Dreams (who also promotes Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group!)
Lori Greer in Portland
“K” at Black Wall
Pretty Plus and Proud
David at Chape Personal Trainer to inspire and get your body moving
Chris at Detached Angel
Bella at Thoughts n Life Blog
PamelasCanepa
AishwaryaAsivaKumar
V4Vikey
Emisary

 

** Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

*Images courtesy ABSFreePics