I’ve got this electronic gizmo on my belt that is supposed to keep me current with all the things I can’t remember. Things like phone numbers, names, places and places I’m supposed to be. It’s got birthdays and businesses, meetings and memos. I can download a map to anyplace USA so I don’t get lost. It even has a game or two, but I hardly ever get to play. It’s a Palm Pilot, the answer to all life’s sticky notes. So how come I still show up late sometimes? It may be due to the same sinister marketing that told us the computer would result in a “Paperless Office.” Day planners are only as good as the plan of the day, and some days aren’t planned; they just happen.
On occasion, someone will tell me that I’m hard to reach. I guess I am. After all, you have to know any of four telephone numbers, all with answering devices; any of three email addresses; either of two fax numbers; or one of four addresses. I don’t have a pager any more, thank God! What bothers me is that whichever thing they remember, if I’m not there, I’m ignoring them. By trying to be more accessible, I have raised everyone’s expectation of access. When I just had one phone, and wasn’t there, people thought I was off doing something worthwhile . . . at least they hoped.
“No pity!” might you say. “By having all these ways of getting in touch with you, you should expect folks to get frustrated when they can’t reach you.” True! But what if I’m mowing the yard and can’t hear the phone? What if I don’t turn on every computer every day? And what if…Heavens No!… my Palm Pilot starts beeping and it’s in the other room? There is a new law of Murphy which I have discovered: “Every means of access creates multiple means of non-access.” Batteries die . . . Brains fry . . .there are no limits.
We believe that God is accessible, just a prayer will do. But that raises the age-old question about God himself! “Why weren’t you listening when I needed you? Did you not check your messages? You could not possibly be riding through “Cellular Hell!” It would help if you checked your email’s more often. How could you have missed this important event? You’re God, after all. You’re supposed to be accessible! (Yes, I tried getting a hold of the guy at the church, but he was out mowing the lawn or playing “Put Put” or something.)”
God does listen, but do you?. Could it be that God is trying to get a response to you? Perhaps it was that message he left for you in the sunrise you slept through. Could it have been when your child reached up for you but you didn’t have the time. Maybe it was that beep . . . beep . . . beep of conscience that caused you to reach for the snooze button in the middle of that thing you were up to . . . or trying to ignore. And let’s not forget the obvious . . . that sermon you missed when you were out mowing the lawn or playing “Put Put” or something.
People who love each other usually know where each other can be reached, whether for an emergency or just to say “I love you.” God knows where you are, does it matter to you so much to think about where God is? Maybe you two should get together. Check your calendar. Don’t have your people call God’s people, this is personal. Is your life in your Palm Pilot or in the Palm of God’s Hand?
rev. Dennis P. Levin