Don’t need God on speed dial

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

‘Do you believe that God is near? He wants you to. He wants you to

know that he is in the midst of your world. Wherever you are as you

read these words, he is present. In your car. On the plane. In your

office, your bedroom, your den. He’s near. And he is more than near.

He is active.’

-- MAX LUCADO

It seems like I’ve seen them anywhere and everywhere. I’ve seen

them inside and outside homes. I’ve seen them in every aisle of the

market and hardware store, and in practically every kind of store,

for that matter. I’ve seen them in banks, car washes, churches,

theaters, hotels, offices, gyms, airports, parks, restaurants and

schools. I’ve seen them on boats, buses, cars and planes. I’ve seen

them at the beach, on tennis courts and on ski slopes. I’ve seen them

on bikes, at pools and I’ve seen them on walks.

Furthermore, I realize that this is only a partial list. I have

even used one myself in some of those same places, as have many of

you readers. If you haven’t guessed by now, I am referring to

cellphones.

I’ve thought about cellphones more often lately, since mine

stopped working. Actually, my phone seems to have a mind of its own;

it works sometimes and not at others. At first, I thought it was due

to my location. Perhaps I was in an area without good reception. But

while I used to use my cellphone without problems at home, it started

to work there only occasionally, and I began sounding like the person

in the television commercial who asks: “Can you hear me now?”. In the

commercial, the person walks somewhere else and continues to try new

locations while repeatedly asking: “Can you hear me now?”.

Needless to say, my family tired of the routine, and I hung up and

called back from our home phone when I could. I also contacted our

cellphone provider for help, and after listening to numerous

recordings and following many directions, my phone worked. Not long

after that, however, there were several times when I was in the

middle of a conversation with my husband, Jon, and soon his clear

voice changed and sounded like he was talking to me from inside a

fish tank.

I’ve decided that cellphones and computers, and many other

technological devices, are a mixed blessing. There is a time and a

place for them, especially when we need them and they work, but like

anything in life, they are not 100% reliable. My phone isn’t working

yet, and while it’s been frustrating on one hand, it’s also been

liberating. I don’t have and I don’t need instant access to everyone.

Technology isn’t perfect, but I’ve learned that I can always count on

and trust God.

God is always with us, wherever we are. He is as close as a

prayer, and we can always have instant access to him. Cellphones will

come and go and continue to change. Some will function correctly and

others won’t, depending on the equipment, our location and the latest

discoveries. But God will always be near, and wants to be part of our

lives in this world, and for eternity.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.