“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)
Last time we were together I spoke about my love/hate relationship with technology. However, there is one form of technology that I love, love, love – the power of the text. For someone like me, who does better expressing herself with words (written) than words (spoken), texting is a great invention. It can be used to connect throughout the day with those you love, between friends whose lives have gotten as busy as yours but yet you want to make sure they know you are thinking of them… or even to help repair relationships.
Last week, there was a breakdown in my relationship with someone. This same issue kept popping up with regularity; yet we were unable to solve the root of the problem and barely dealt with the symptoms. Through the use of text, it opened up the line of communication to speak freely (my) feelings that I have a hard time expressing in person. We communicated back and forth for a little while and while it didn’t solve the problem right then, we started moving in the right direction instead of being stuck in the standstill which had occurred for weeks prior.
Over the course of the next 24 hours, that first simple text, which had started the communication, evolved into breaking the silence and getting us back to where we needed to be, fully connected again. While the entire conversation didn’t take place via text, it was the jumpstart needed to start the process.
I’m learning that just because I hear the “ding” of my phone, that doesn’t mean I have to rush and answer it every single time. We have “text free” and “no technology times” in our household and these are in place as much for me as they are for everyone else. I love how our youngest uses texting to share bird pictures or “Jewel” pictures with his grandparents, friends from school and even to ask his teacher a question about his homework. Yes, his teacher texts him back almost immediately with the sweetest texts and answers! He is so blessed! Our oldest two text us to keep us updated and involved in their lives. That means a lot to me that they want to share things with us still. I have a group of friends that I can group text whenever there is a prayer request that needs to be passed along. Texting flirting with your spouse is quite fun too!
Unfortunately, just as texting can bring encouragement to others, it can also be used in negative ways. While we can’t control how others use their texting power, we always have full control over the way we respond.
There is definitely power behind the text… it can be used for evil or for good. I pray that in your life, you have experienced the positive power of the text and have only passed along that positive power to others yourself.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017