Making the Most with What We Have

November 1, 2020 Off By Donna Wuerch

Yesterday was my mother-in-law’s 98th birthday and since we couldn’t have a real up-close-and-personal celebration, my children, and grands (13 of us) celebrated her via a Zoom call. How precious it was for each of us to express our love to her. As we were about to sign off, Mom spoke up with a prayer over us: “I pray for a double portion on each one of you. We all love the Lord together. I praise the Lord for each one of you. God bless you.” Short, but a blessing we received with joy! Thank God for the blessing of technology!

Can we imagine what these confined times would have looked like if a world pandemic had come before the blessings of cutting edge technology like we have today? God’s tender mercies spared us. But, trust me, technology can pose concerns, too! After Mom and Karen closed their screen, my family started saying: I love you Nana period. I love you too Nana exclamation point. Alexia said “Did you hear yourself do that Nana?” I didn’t! Oh me!” Alexia went on – “When you were talking to Granny, you were doing voice-to-text dictating what you said. We’re so glad to be together with you, Mom, period.” Oh. My. Goodness. My daily voice-to-text messaging on my iPhone has gone rouge! Dear friends, please tell me if I do that when I’m conversing with you! I sent a text message to my family thanking them all for the zoom call and expressing my gratitude for technology. I also said: “I understand I was talking in voice-to-text! Please be patient with me because you’ll be this age one day! LOL!”

Zoom and other apps have sure been a blessing to so many of us this year! I am so thankful to be a part of this generation because it has given us so much in convenience and the ability to stay connected even though we are apart in miles or for social distancing. We’ve seen technology as a blessing for those confined to their homes. It has kept them connected to their family and even in Mom’s case, she was able to attend two funerals of family members by watching a Facetime Live broadcast. It has afforded us the opportunity to church online and other online ministries. I am part of two online Bible Studies that has kept me grounded in God’s Word and staying in touch with sisters in Christ. As part of a healing ministry team, I’ve also participated in praying with people who are in desperate need for God’s healing touch via zoom meetings. God has sure blessed us in so many mysterious ways.

Somehow I think that Jesus may have had these times in mind when He said these words to His disciples: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12). I think these are the greater works and the greater the works, the more opportunities we have for “going into all the world with God’s good news. And we all know, that’s what this world needs!

On a final note….my Frisco family and I enjoyed going over to Frisco Square’s heritage area to get fun pics yesterday. Sometimes “impromptu” sure makes for fun and sweet memory-making times! Happy November, from us to you and yours!