By Anil Z. Mathew
Lord,
every now and then
my cell phone
pings
and brings to my notice
all manner of things.
Videos, audios, text messages galore
consume my days
as never before.
Some prove useful
others empty and void -notifications
I'd rather avoid.
They constantly keep
coming at me.
And the price is usually paid.
Important tasks
delayed.
Given free access
some apps
on my phone
leave me
with less time
alone.
I am swept and caught
by this great onslaught
often weary and spent
by digital content.
In this distracted state
I frequently wait
and try again
to concentrate.
Lord, even
my quiet
uninterrupted times
of communion with you
-are becoming few.
But God of all
creation,
teach me that
notifications
are not
something to hate,
instead, teach me to adjust
and relate
but never
let them
dictate.
Teach me to turn off the
buttons
when engaged
in my tasks
and turn them back on when I'm done.
Most of all, Lord
during those times
of quiet communion
with you
teach me to keep
my phone
silent
all through.
For Your Word
in me
is life-giving
and true,
divine notifications
that
come from you.
They forever live on
while other
notifications
are gone.
Lord,
strengthen me
in what
you've
called me
to do.
With notifications, too.
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