It was a typical day for this housewife with three little ones (now there are four). I was running around like a madwoman, attempting to get all my house work accomplished with the phone to my ear. That phone. My lifeline. I was chatting to whoever would call.

Chatting that turned into too much information.
Chit chat that turned into too much pain and messy lives.
Chatting that turned into slander, gossip and more.

Sometimes I was an active participant with poisonous lips and a faithless heart. Other times I was an inactive participant with poisoned ears and a thankless heart. Either way…I was participating. It was the perpetuating of a vicious cycle of lies, gossip and hate.

Some of this started and even ended innocently enough. Doesn’t most sin start that way? A flirtatious glance. A snide remark. A glance of flesh on screen or print. A little itty-bitty fib. Oh it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. How quickly these small things get out of control.

Without even realizing it this had become a part of my life. The phone had become my lifeline. And then came a shifting of things. The beginning of a life that honors and glorifies God.  There was this moment when I realized I could not do poison anymore.

So I hung up the phone.

Have you been there?
Maybe you have this same problem. Perhaps the phone or the internet or the television has become your lifeline to the “real” world. Maybe you spend more time interacting in these spaces than you do living in your home, your neighborhood, or your family. What is just a part of the job, or a part of networking, or a part of community/friendship… has become your sole source of information, energy and relief. You thirst for more and more of this?

Is it time to turn off the TV, switch off the computer or hang up the telephone?

Is it time to learn how to keep company with Jesus… the only true source of life?

When you begin to focus your heart on the things of God instead of the things of the flesh you will find that you are less thirsty for being heard, having to know and wanting to be included. When Jesus is the source of life your spirit will be renewed daily.

This is not an exhaustive list, but perhaps a place to start… how to hang up the phone and learn to keep company with Jesus:

1. Keep company with Jesus in the quiet of your heart, empty and alert before him: set your timer for three minutes and practice silence before prayer, and again several times throughout the day practice three minutes of quiet before God (even if you have to hide in the bathroom).

“Be silent, and know that I am God!” -Psalm 46:10 NLT

2. Keep company with Jesus through Sacrifices of Praise: whispered sacrifices of praise on lips or written lists of gratitude. These will help remind you of the blessings in the midst of the chaos.

“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

3. Keep company with Jesus through Simple Acts of Kindness: whether your neighbor, friend, colleague, family member or stranger on the street, find a simple way to extend love to others.

“And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” -Hebrews 13:16

4. Keep company with Jesus through Scripture: Reading the Bible even in small amounts every day will be of immense benefit to taming boredom, reminding us of God’s truth, keeping our lives focused and offering refreshment to a thirsty heart. Write verses on notecards or post it notes, make artwork, pin these words to your fridge, mirror or hang them on the wall. Memory work is not just for children. The Bible is what teaches us:

    “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” -Romans 15:4

5. Keep company with Jesus through Play: Learn to dance with your children, learn to wrestle on the floor, run across open fields, hike forests and play games together. Take moments every day to stop being dictator mom who cleans the house, cooks the meals, helps with homework, keeps everything organized and more, instead remember to play with your family:

“God – you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play.” -Psalm 63:1-4, 6-7 The Message

Have you ever had a moment when you knew it was time to hang up the phone?