Living Connected:
“Your Internet connectivity has been lost!”
That was the response from my speech software as the realization of my predicament became clear.
It was the early hours of Monday morning, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“Your Internet connectivity has been lost!”
Without coming face-to-face with this kind of issue before, what was I to do?
How could I resolve this?
Who was I to contact?
Subsequently, I called my software provider, who suggested calling my broadband provider.
In retrospect, that was the obvious thing to do!
But even the broadband provider wasn’t sure of how to re-connect.
So, 48 hours later, after 6 lengthy conversations with 4 engineers, and a lot of sighted assistance from Rachel – eventually, my connection was recovered!
And yes, my good nature was tested!
But I wasn’t fazed!
Well, maybe a little!
Apparently, there was a major fault in our area, and this caused greater problems for me!
For instance, we couldn’t send and receive E-mails.
Couldn’t do our grocery shopping on-line!
Couldn’t view our energy bill!
Couldn’t follow the progress of friends on Facebook.
Couldn’t send a real-time instant message.
Couldn’t… couldn’t… couldn’t… And so the list goes on and on.
And although the initial major fault was fixed within 24 hours, my unique problem remained – until Wednesday!
Oh! How did we cope before the age of the Internet?
Anyhow, this made me think, imagine being disconnected from your family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Envisage being unable to communicate with others on a regular basis.
Picture completely loosing the freedom to communicate with anyone, and everyone!
Yet, interestingly, some people choose to remain apart, cut off from the rest of the world.
Some become remote, distant.
And others, through no fault of their own, find themselves alone.
For me, 48 hours without Internet access was bad enough, but the thought of a life-time separated!
Well-nigh, isolated!
Oh boy!
Friends, we all need each other.
Not just in the good times – but especially when times get hard!
So, here’s some simple ways to remain connected:
Touching base with the neighbours within our communities is a great idea.
Building a rapport with school friends, college mates, or work colleagues is another good example.
A considerate knock at the door.
An encouraging text message.
An uplifting E-mail.
An attentive conversation at the water cooler.
A re-assuring phone call.
A note of gratitude, an expression of thanks.
Even a good old-fashioned newsy letter – showing warm and heartfelt friendliness.
All these, and more, can be very powerful in themselves.
On one level it’s about connecting, but on a deeper level, it’s about relationships.
And note, as God’s kids, we really need to keep in regular Christian fellowship.
Therefore, here’s some pointers to keep our connections and relationships healthy:
Learn to listen, and take time out to talk things through.
Establish a mutual understanding, trust, or agreement.
Actively support each other.
Contribute to the progress or growth of one another.
Encourage and build each other up – help to keep each other strong.
Go on cheering and strengthening each other with positive thoughts.
Appreciate each other.
Always remember, one friend can improve another.
Do all you can to help one another’s faith journey.
Find out how best to pray with each other.
Spend time in the presence of God, for the plain fact is – apart from Him we can do nothing at all!
And so, come-on kids!
Together, let’s discover the power of living connected!
Now, that’s a God thought.
Thumbs-up?
Say yes!
David Prince: Full-time Husband To Rachel – Writer Of Stuff – Receiver Of Grace – Drinker Of Tea – & Hearty Neighbour.
Now friend, if this message has comforted or challenged you, please click the recommend button found before this post.
Thank you.
E-mail david@newday-prince.me.uk.
Proverbs 27:17
Hebrews 10:25
John 15:5
The Message.