The Phone that Went Bye-bye

Yesterday I felt God telling me to get rid of my fancy new phone. I pondered this idea for awhile, then pushed it aside to think about later. After all, my phone is the one thing of value that I own! It's my alarm clock, my internet, my social network, my camera, and even my flashlight. And that youtube app really comes in handy when traveling with a toddler! I just wasn't completely positive I could part with it, but I promised to consider it later. If that was what God was really asking of me, he'd ask again.

Well, not too much later I got a call from Aaron asking me to make a quick run to the bank for him. I was watching Oliver and with two 2-year-old boys there is no such thing as a "quick run" to anywhere, but we needed toilet paper anyway so I agreed. In my haste to get the boys dressed, out the door, in their car seats, and to the bank before it closed, I forgot something. Though I knew I forgot something it wasn't until I needed to call Aaron at the bank that I noticed what. My phone! I knew it had to be somewhere, misplacing a small black device in the chaos of daily life is not that uncommon. But I specifically remembered carrying it to the car, so why wasn't it there? It was not in my purse, the center console, the passenger seat, the floor, or the back seat. I decided to go ahead to the grocery store and look for it when I got home.

While at the grocery store, I decided I might as well do a little grocery shopping. It's never wise to grocery shop with two rambunctious boys without a list, so I reached for my phone to make a quick list of a few things I did not want to forget. As previously noted, it was not there. Paper and pen? Who carries those around when you have a palm-sized computer with voice recognition! I never thought I'd be so high tech, but it's quite convenient when you rarely have more than one hand free. I ventured forth anyway.

As I wandered through the store adding to my cart the things I saw I needed, I tried to remember why I was there to begin with. Eggs... bread... milk... Ooh I really want to make that casserole I read about earlier! But as I reached for my phone yet again, I remembered there would be no in the moment look up for recipes this time.
"Mommy, snaack!" Aiden started to whine.
"Popcorn, popcorn!" Oliver chimed in.
The boys were losing patience with me, so I decided to finish shopping later. Lucky for me, I walked down the toilet paper aisle on my way to the register and remembered what I went there for in the first place!

On the drive home I realized I had no idea what time it was. Abigail said she would be there at 5:00 to pick Oliver up. My dashboard clock does not work, so once again I reached for my phone. Doh! Ok well, if she sees we're not there she'll call me. I assured myself only to remember that she couldn't call me because I did not have my phone! Seriously, who would have thought going 45 minutes without your cell phone would be such a pain?

Abigail got there right after we did, so I used her phone to call my phone. No luck. I sat down and closed my eyes. Retrace your steps, Faith. I know I had it at the car because I had called Aaron while walking out the door. I first put Oliver in his seat. Then Aiden. Wait, I don't remember holding it while putting them in their seats... I didn't have a coat on and my purse was already in the car...  and my pants don't have pockets... What do I do when I have no where to put something but have to lift a child into his car seat? The classic mom move. The roof of the car! Duh! Really, Faith? Really?! I cursed my insufficient brain. I knew if it fell from the roof of the car it would have to be on my street because our street has a flooding problem and apparently is not the responsibility of the town or state, therefore it has never been repaved. It's basically one big pothole. I bundled Aiden up and we headed out to search every inch of our drive and street. At that point it was getting pretty dark. If only I had my phone, then I could use my flashlight! I thought stupidly to myself. But it was nowhere to be found.

After dinner, I gathered my things to leave for small group. I kissed my husband and son goodbye, letting them know who to call if they needed me. Then realized, I didn't have anyone's numbers to give. As I drove down my street, I prayed. God, is this your way of saying I really need to get rid of my phone? If you help me find it, I'll sell it and use the money for good. It felt good knowing that selling my phone might help someone out, and I resolved to stick to that promise. Just then I was pulling onto the I-40 ramp and my headlights caught a glimpse of a small, black, rectangular object in the road. I quickly pulled over, put on my hazards and ran toward the object. My phone! I couldn't believe it! It was a sign from God! But as I lifted it from the pavement a car drove by, shedding it's light on the destroyed device in my hands. Alas, my Droid Incredible, my sidekick for everyday life, was now a dead, useless thing.

I do not always understand why God asks the things he does, sometimes they sound silly, but I do know better then not to listen. Perhaps God didn't care for the money that would come from my phone. Perhaps he simply wants my attention. Well, here I am God! Perhaps, I should get off this computer.