Tip of My Iceberg

photo courtesy of Ali Pli on Unsplash

I wasn’t expecting to be so stuck. It was just one day.

I left home in a hurry to get to work. Gathering papers for a meeting was something I should have done the night before. John was in his office on a call–he often asks me if I have everything. I dashed out the door, threw my backpack and purse in the car, and headed to the office.

It wasn’t till I got to work that I realized I’d forgotten my phone. In the grand scheme of things, that isn’t a big deal.

It felt like a bigger deal as the day went on.

What became an immediate issue was knowing where my meetings were being held–the rooms were listed on the calendar. On my phone. I could unpack my backpack and look through my computer for the same information.

I didn’t want to go through that much work.

Several of my appointments had changed throughout the day, and I was flummoxed as to how I was going to get ahold of these people to let them know about the change of plans. People I care for.

Being disconnected from those we want to stay in a relationship with can be discouraging and frustrating. It’s an effort to stay in honest communication. When we’re limited to sound bytes on a screen, the depths of our hearts are rarely transmitted completely or correctly.

There’s a story in the Bible about a father who loved his two sons dearly. His younger son was discontent with things at home and demanded his inheritance early, a fact that showed great disrespect for his father. Out of love for his son, the father gave him what he asked for.

The son left.

He flagrantly wasted his money with friends, and when the money ran out, so did his friends. He became so poor he resorted to feeding pigs for a local farmer. In desperation, he headed home, knowing all he could do was offer himself to his father as a servant.

“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced his son, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God and before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’” Luke 15:20-21

The father wouldn’t listen. He was overjoyed that his son was back. He’d thought his boy was dead, but here he was, alive and well. The party began.

This is how God celebrates us. We often feel disconnected from Him because of what we’ve done or doubts or questions that seem unanswerable. But He longs to love and celebrate us. He seeks to renew the connection with each of us that He longs for. Because He loves us well.

No smartphone is needed. He’s just a prayer away.