Cell phones and social media can be a blessing — keeping us connected with faraway loved ones, for instance — but they also can be massive problem makers.
Often, I see children trying to talk to parents in restaurants, at parks and other places, and they get ignored because someone is on the phone.
Our ability to personally interact with one another, and with God, has been seriously damaged when we allow these items to occupy our minds, eyes and hearts.
I mourn the demise of the ability to use the handwritten word. I still have letters from my great-grandmother, great-uncles, grandparents, and yes, small handwritten notes from my wife.
When I see the writing on them, based on their style alone, I can picture loved ones as though they are standing right there.
Paul, in writing several of his letters, stated they were indeed written by his own hand. This would have given a sense of authority, intimacy, and emotion. In essence, he was stating that he cared enough about a situation to sit down and write a personal letter instead of dictating it to Luke or someone else.
We no longer have a commitment to sit down and write something. No more personal contact, no long lasting memories.
I wonder sometimes if we have gotten too convenient for our own good.
Perhaps if we shut down these devices, spend some time with our children without the distraction, and learn to respond to one another, the world could be a better place.
Or would we rather tune out and ignore those around us, even our children, to their detriment?
Our first major piece of communication came in the form of letters, written by men as they were given inspiration and instruction.
God's written word is to us a letter of confirmation of his great intentions for us.
When he put flesh upon His Word, and that flesh became his son Jesus, he was not tuning out, but expressing with his own hand that his love is so great toward us.
Tune in to him today. Unplug, and live.
The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Mourning the handwritten word