A smack to the back of the head

On the whole, I would say that I do not encourage violence.  (My little sister, Annie, may disagree.  When we were young, I used to tell her that if she hit me, I would hit her back twice as hard) :)  However, sometimes I feel there are certain people who need to have some sense knocked into them.
Today was one of those times...

This weekend in Garden City there was a home and garden show, so Taylor and I decided to go over and look around and then run a few errands and catch a matinee movie. With today being kind of snowy and cold, it was a perfect way to spend the day.

After going through the home and garden show, Taylor and I stopped to eat some lunch.  Not long after we sat down, a mom and her daughter came in to the restaurant. The girl was probably around 14.  The mom sat with her back to me but I could see the girl, and I noticed that she was constantly texting/checking her phone. A few minutes later the dad came in and joined them.  If someone were to only steal a single, quick glance at all three of them sitting together, they would see a family at a table with their heads bowed.  It would be easy to assume they were praying. But a one extra glance would prove that assumption to be false.  Every single one of them, from the time each sat down, was looking at their phones...THE WHOLE TIME.  During the entire time Taylor and I ate, I bet they didn't say five words to each other.  Heck, I wouldn't even have to use all the fingers on one hand to count the number of times they looked at each other. It was the worst display of family-togetherness I have ever seen.  I was appalled.  Part of me wanted to walk up to their table and smack them all across the back of the head and point out the valuable, precious moments they were squandering.
I told Taylor that it is amazing to me how we claim technology and social medias allow us to stay connected - but connected to whom?  To a random person we barely know who took time to "like" our status/picture rather than to the people sitting across from us - the people who should be the most important part of our lives?
Don't get me wrong, I think Facebook and technology are great, but only when they are used responsibly. Even I need to work on that occasionally.  But as a nation and a culture, I find it remarkably sad how messed up our priorities have become.

I will say at least their idiocy provided Taylor and I a great opportunity to talk about how we want to interact as a family and stipulations we want to have on phone usage during family time.  There's always a positive side. :)  I guess since hitting complete strangers would be frowned upon, I'll say a prayer for them.

All in all it was a wonderful, relaxing day, and I was glad to get to spend it with my best friend. :)

Western Kansas Fact:  During winter storms, the power lines out here jump around like four-year-olds on a trampoline.  Maybe I've just never paid attention before moving out here, but anytime we've had snowy/icy/windy weather, the power lines get to swinging and bouncing dramatically.  This morning, as the mist froze to the lines, they were really moving.

You should be a light for other people.  Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
This scripture stuck out for me while I was writing this blog because I as I thought about the family at the restaurant, I was reminded that others constantly see our actions.  I need to make sure I'm not just living my life to please myself, but to please God.  As long as I am living for Him, no matter what I do and no matter who sees my life, I'll be able to be proud of my actions.

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend, and be sure to enjoy your loved ones!
Lyndee