Life used to be so simple. Sometimes I feel like I was born too late. I long for the “good old days.” I’d miss my microwave, television and computer, but there’s a lot of things I could do without. I’m not talking about my washing machine either, because the thought of pounding a seven-layer dress of crinoline on a rock doesn’t seem like my idea of fun. Or maybe, it’s just that I want other people to do without some of their neat “toys” or at least have a little common courtesy in using them.
I think you know the biggest offender. Yep, cell phones. I was at the dollar store and there was a lady with her cart parked right in the middle of the aisle, talking on her cell phone. Now, for those of you who religiously shop at those stores as I do, this would seem as strange to you as it did to me. What could she possibly have needed to check on? We weren’t in Dillard’s or Saks where she might have to get permission to buy something.
My husband was at an office party one day, and he counted the cell phones on the table in front of people. There was at least a dozen, not a one of which rang the entire time. So, why did they lay them out on the table? Was it to impress everyone else? If so, it couldn’t have been too impressive, because no one got a call. Me? I would have gone to a pay phone, called a friend, and had her call me. I mean, if you’re going to do it, do it right.
My biggest pet peeve is when we go to a restaurant and see a parent and child. I’ve actually seen the parent on the phone, totally ignoring the child the whole time. One of these days, they’re going to wonder why their child doesn’t call them. I think it probably started at the restaurant.
Yes, I have a cell phone. It’s safely ensconced in my purse where it belongs. Isn’t the point of cell phones after all to have a way to contact a tow truck when the car breaks down or you run out of gas? Aren’t they supposed to primarily be for emergencies? I probably don’t get or make more than a couple of calls a month. I do find it handy for grocery store shopping lists. Other than that? Hate them.
I think the cell phone phenomenon has finally reached the epitome of foolishness. I heard of someone who took their phone to church with them. Okay, that might not be so bad, but it wasn’t cleverly hidden away in a purse or other similar device—they proudly displayed it. As if that’s not bad enough, it was turned on and frequently rang during the service. One would assume this individual would leave the service to answer the phone, but they didn’t. They answered it right there in front of God and everybody.
Okay, so answer me this. Who are they expecting to call them during church? The last time I gave this any thought, I don’t believe I concluded God is hooked up with AT&T, so who could possibly be important enough to interrupt a church service? If it’s their family, they should be in church with them or be told not to call unless the house was on fire. Since they never ran screaming out of the church yelling, “Call 911!” I seriously doubt there was a fire. Maybe they’re hoping if they fall asleep the pastor will ring them and tell them to wake up, but I don’t remember ever seeing a cell phone on a pulpit. If it’s a business call they’re waiting on, please don’t tell me. I don’t want to have my little girl illusions shattered that much.
There are so many distractions in our lives nowadays, to take us away from giving our attention to our Father, why would we want to introduce yet another into one of the few sanctuaries we have left? If we feel we must let the outside world intrude on one of the few peaceful times we have amongst our daily hustle, aren’t we missing the point of going to church in the first place? Aren’t we supposed to leave the world behind, enter a place of worship, and give not only our bodies but our minds to worshipping the Lord? And, if we are, can we really do that if we’re waiting for the phone to ring?
As for me, I intend to leave my phone in my purse. And, by the way, if I ever hear a phone ring at church while I’m trying to escape the outer world, I’m going to walk over, pick it up, and say, “Sorry, wrong number.” Consider yourself warned!