Look Up

I have a friend from elementary school. At 23 year old we found ourselves in Singles Ward. Still friends after all that time. There is nothing more refreshing then a long friendship. We were at a vital time in our lives. Discovering where the rest of our lives would take us.

 Right after coming home from his mission I sat by him each week in sacrament meeting and watched painfully as he was on his phone the whole meeting. It wasn't here and there. It wasn't that he would listen for a moment then go back to his phone. It was always. He would play intense games that got both his thumbs moving madly. It broke my heart, and distracted me. Some days I said subtle comments to get him to put it away. A few times I even told him to listen. Nothing seemed to get through. After months of this I became so angry that I sat elsewhere. Knowing any moment I would explode and let him have it. He noticed and would try to wave me over. Sometimes he got me, until I waited for Sacrament to start then rushed in finding a spot by myself. 

One week I spoke in that ward. I couldn't help but see if he was watching. No. I was disappointed. After all he was my friend! Why wouldn't he listen? Afterward he approached me with some of my other friends and said I did great. My patience finally gave way and I snapped. I walked to him and said, "Thanks for listening to my talk. Oh wait, you didn't." then stormed away. Yep I over reacted and I'm sure he was confused or bugged. But I don't feel bad saying it. 

Although I speak in annoyance... Why even come to sacrament? In my opinion if you are playing a game while you reach for a piece of bread you might as well not take it.

Heavenly Father has given us a special day to rest, and learn. Can you really not take a small 3 hours out of your 168 hours each week to put away your electronics and give your time to Him? Do you have that little self control? Do your electronics rule you? Some people struggle. I get it. I am biased and have been taught strictly in my church behavior. We aren't all the same. But can we not all turn our phone off for maybe even one hour? Do we need to be entertained every moment we are awake? 

I promise that true happiness and growth come from attending church and REALLY being there. Revelation and miracles come daily if we but just open our eyes and notice them! I hope we will look up and realize the world around us. Proving to the Lord (in Sister Hinckley's words) that "I was really here and that I really lived." 

-Chelsey