Oh, The Irony!
If we thought our kid’s screen time was the biggest challenge parents faced a few months ago, the pressure is rising.
And so is my SCREEN TIME!
But I’m am so grateful we have social media and technology that allows us to stay in communication so easily. What a blessing. Can you imagine if we had “Stay At Home” orders in the ’80s… oh, wait, that was every day for me! Haha.
However, I keep thinking about how we would have experienced church if there was a pandemic in the ’80s. I can’t remember my childhood church canceling for anything, including 3 feet of snow. But today, we are experiencing worship services across the world in our living rooms.
It’s incredible!
But honestly, the first two Sundays “online” were good, not great. Without a specific time to be “at church,” a cell phone in one hand, a MAPLERIDGE mug in the other, and kids trying to make breakfast… let’s say watching church “online” was okay, but not completely worshipful. God was speaking to us, but there were plenty of distractions making it hard to hear Him.
So last week, after all of us being home every day, all day for two weeks, let’s say I wasn’t looking forward to Sunday… it was becoming like every other day of the week.
So I tried something different this past Sunday… and I can say our family experienced the Best Sunday In A Month!
It was so great… here’s what we did.
On Saturday, we sat down with the family and let them know Sunday was going to be different. We were going to “online church” at a specific time; so they needed to be “alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic,” (it’s a camp thing) We were going to church together!
Afterward, we planned to have Brunch (so no need to eat and watch), all of us sitting around the table. And the rest of the day was available for bike rides, walks, games, naps, snacks, etc. Puzzles didn’t make the list because Target was sold out of them. Seriously, Target doesn’t have puzzles; the world has gone mad! Haha.
But here was the kicker…
WE ALL turned our phones, and computers OFF for the entire day!
Yep… even mine! Which meant no Facebook, Instagram, Emails, Homework and even Covid-19 NEWS!!!
The only exception to the no computer rule was for scheduled Small Group Zoom calls we had with our classes.
I was shocked at how it turned out. It was so much fun! Hands down… it was the best day in 3 weeks! It was so great I can’t wait until Sunday!
What I loved was how much more present I was with the family. I have found myself so easily distracted with the every day changing Covid-19 news cycle and reading silly Coronavirus memes and Facebook Status updates. But on Sunday, we spent time together and worshipped Him!
On top of that… I physically found myself experience True Peace, His Peace, by the end of the day. So much so… I want to experience it again!
God created the “Sabbath” at the beginning of creation to provide His children every week one day to worship Him and experience real rest! A day for us to put our complete trust and hope in Him, the ultimate Provider. Unfortunately, I know I have missed it so many times. I believe God is saying something to us!
As we experience Palm Sunday and Holy Week next week “at home,” I would encourage to make this Sunday different than the other days of the week. Try it. I can promise you this… He will show up!
If you are looking for some great sermons or Student Services to watch online, I created a page with some great options!
Let me know how this Sunday goes!
If your camper gives you grief about turning the phone off…blame it on CHIEF. Don’t worry; they will survive a day because I know they thrive for a week every summer without it!
Can’t wait to see you on Opening Day!
In Him,
Duane Blasdel aka “Chief”
