Unplugged

I just got back from a great vacation with my family. Every year, after the Summit, we take a break and get away from the phones, all of the email and the computer. Well, we used to. Now, with smart phones and other gadgets it’s harder and harder to “get away from it all.” In fact, for the first two days of our vacation, I had a really hard time unplugging, both literally and figuratively.

In the literal sense, I brought my laptop, my phone and my iPad. Three things that all have internet connections. It was hard to put them down. I found myself checking email, looking at the Facebook page, and keeping posted on what was going on with Celebrate Recovery in my absence. About half way through the second day though, I looked at my kids and realized that I didn’t want to miss one more second of our time together. All of the other stuff could wait. I knew that would mean more work for me when I got back, but I didn’t care at that moment. All I cared about was that we were eating hotdogs and laughing, and talking and trying to not get stung by bees. It was great. But it was really, really hard. I’ve gotten into this habit of taking my phone out of my pocket and, “just checking” any time I get a chance. It’s almost a reflex now. Some of you know just what I’m talking about.

Figuratively, it was much harder to unplug. I love Celebrate Recovery. I think about it all the time. This program has changed my life. It’s given me the tools to connect with Christ in a deeper way than I ever thought possible. I also know how many lives have been changed through Celebrate Recovery. And after a great experience like the Summit, my mind has been on overdrive. I’ve written more about Celebrate Recovery in the last two weeks than I have in the last six months. Just check the date of my last post before this year’s Summit. I have been charged up! Turning that off for a few days was tough. Instead of writing down an idea for a blog post or an illustration for a lesson, I had to let it go and trust that either God would bring it back to mind at the appropriate time, or He would give me something better. 

I admit, I’m bad at this. Some of you are ok at unplugging and taking time away, but my gut feeling is most of us have a hard time with this. If so, can I just tell you how great it was for me? It was amazing. I finally feel rested. If you’re bad at this too, I want to encourage you to try it. Try to take some time and not think about CR. I know. I get it. But, for me at least, that time away has allowed me to come in today fresh and renewed. 

So let me ask you, when is the last time you unplugged? Literally? Figuratively? Are you good at it? Tell us what you do and how we can learn from you in the comments.

Johnny

Comments

[Alison]

Thanks for posting this. The last time I unplugged was for my wedding anniversary weekend. It was hard to do at first, but by Monday when I turned the sound back on my phone...the alerts for texts and emails kinda got on my nerves. I think it is important for me and my recovery to take time away...just very hard to actually do.