We all love technology. Seriously – paying bills has never been so easy. (When was the last time you even used a stamp? Besides your Christmas cards.) It is so convenient in keeping up with loved ones, sharing pictures, you name it.
BUT, is it turning into a bad thing? How about this question: When we’re with our children, are we really with them or are we just physically there, but mentally disengaged? Because we’re on our phone… or the laptop… or both. We’re there, but we’re not really there.
I saw an extremely sad case of this last year. EVERY time I went to pick up my daughter from her homeschool art class, I happened to notice one of the other moms that was picking up her daughter. I noticed her because I never saw her NOT on her cell phone. And she had two other little ones in tow as well. When her daughter came out of the class, she was always trying to show her mom what she had made in class. I figured the mom would at least hang up when the kids started piling out of the classroom, but unfortunately no, she never missed a beat in her conversation. Her children got the soundbites, “Neat Honey! How pretty!… (Then back to cell-phone caller) So anyway, we’re leaving the class now, blah blah blah.” And her three precious children would follow her back down the hallway and out the door. Sad. I’m sure she’s a very nice gal, but I wonder if the convenience of technology is slowly pulling her spirit out of her calling.
There is definitely a place for all of these modern conveniences, but how do we find the balance? I think the key idea is to always maintain our priorities in the right order.
For a homemaker, anything that does not fall into the following categories (in this exact order), gets put at the bottom of the list, after everything else:
- God
- Husband
- Children
- Home
Obviously these are dynamic, living categories that often overflow one-into-another. Example - I will sometimes have to be online paying bills at the same time I’m working with my kiddos. But I have taken the time to explain to my children that one of my homemaking duties is taking care of our finances, so they will see me doing “office work” from time-to-time.
But being online doing Facebook (or this blog) while my husband, kids, or home is neglected can’t be justified. Just like sitting there watching TV while my other priorities are put aside doesn’t fly either. I can’t justify that to my family or to the Lord. My husband certainly can’t sit at his desk at work and do Facebook during working hours, so why should I be able to? (Actually, I think we’re the last remaining family that is NOT on Facebook as of now anyway, so that problem’s solved!)
So how am I doing this blog? 
When I can fit it in. Honestly. I am still so highly needed in my homemaking role in which I support a hard-working husband, homeschool the kiddos, and maintain the home, that anything else can only fit in after I feel I have everything else in order and nothing is being neglected. I hope to find time to get posts written somewhat regularly, but I would be abandoning my duties if I prioritized this above anything on the list.
I definitely feel it on my heart to start sharing God’s ideas with some of the younger gals out there, but I’m also very accepting that it will be done after I’ve been faithful to keeping my priorities.
So the purpose of this post is to encourage all you other moms out there to do the same. Keep your phones and laptops put away when you’re on homemaking duty! There will be a season later in your life that will afford you much more down-time in which you can pursue these interests. And it will be here before you know it. So enjoy the season you are in right now and don’t fall into the trap of being lulled away by the glow of a screen… or two!
