Gathering Place: BLOG! Linger in the Loveliness and Let's Put Down our Phones and Pick Up Real Life.

Savor the Slow

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"Before rushing into the next thing,

linger in the loveliness - the quiet beauty of your Savior is often found there."

The summer season invites you to slow down - explore, wander, savor and linger instead of going down the digital rabbit hole. Digital input is rewiring our brains and drastically shortening our attention spans. Emily Thomas shares on her podcast, "Let's put down our phones and pick up real life." What concerns me is how many times we miss the Lord's voice and guidance in a world full of distractions and noise. There is no sweeter voice than His. Be encouraged by these verses about our Lord's voice:

"The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty." Psalm 29:4

"God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend." Job 37:5

In 1 Kings 19:12 When God encounters Elijah, He is not in the wind, the earthquake, or fire, but in a "still small voice."

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"Let's put down our phones and pick up real life."

Emily Thomas

So let's find our balance with analog living, learning to use technology in moderation and allowing it to serve our goals rather than constantly demanding our attention, using it in proportion to what we value. Analog is basically, anything that you can do with your senses-sight, touch, taste, smell, sound etc.

Here are some practical steps to be more engaging:

1. Treat your cell like a landline. Leaving it plugged in in the kitchen or a designated place.

2. Specify tech-free times or zones in your home.

3. When out and about, be intentional to have a conversation with people while standing in a line.

4. Ditch the digital and connect with people in a waiting room instead of scrolling mindlessly.

   Excerpts from Karen Ehman

   - find Karen at karenehman.com

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Here are some examples that engage your hands and minds in ways screens cannot:

• Photography: Using film cameras instead of digital ones slows down the process and makes each shot more intentional.

• Reading: Choosing printed books over e-readers can reduce eye strain and improve retention.

• Crafts and Hobbies: Puzzles, board games, baking. Playing an instrument or painting. Sewing (let's make an "analog bag" together!) Activities like knitting, woodworking, or gardening encourage slow engagement.

• Writing: Writing someone or a handwritten diary helps express thoughts more deeply.

"Rest in the Lord..."

Psalm 37:7