The Cell Phone Alternative Challenge

While organizing, I came across a New Testament my husband gave me twenty-five years ago. We have moved many times over the years and suffered loss from storage mishaps, so I was amazed I still had it. It is small enough to fit into the palm of my hand. I carried it with me from one room to another as I leafed through its pages and read passages I had marked. As I carried this book, I realized it is about the same size as my cell phone, which is rarely very far from me. I remember the days when cell phones first appeared on the market. For the longest time, I did not want one because I believed it a bothersome gadget. Decades later, I wonder how I got along without one. Look around any public place and you will see people using a cell phone. At one time, people considered talking on a phone in a restaurant a faux pas. Heads would turn and eyes would stare if you broke the rule. Now a glance around a crowded restaurant reveals that most of the diners are talking, scrolling, or texting while waiting for their food. Will "look-me-in-the-eye" communication become a thing of the past? What if we carried a small Bible with us everywhere instead of a cell phone? What if we consulted it as often as we do our electronic device? Granted, a Bible will not tell you the time or the weather or the traffic, but it will provide much important information. Would it be so bad if we missed a few phone calls or texts? Here is the cell phone alternative challenge. See if you can put aside your cell phone for a period of time. Withdrawal symptoms will challenge you, but there are many benefits to decreasing screen time. Dust off your old Bible and take some time to interact with your heavenly Father. He has so much to tell you. The book of Genesis or the Gospel of John is a great place to start. As many times as I have read these books, I always glean some new insight for my life. Are you up to the challenge?