All of our modern gadgets are designed to save us time, and to some extent they do. Vehicles, computers, and cell phones are all great inventions. Yet when we become tied to them, they can really become a hindrance. With all these things in our lives we still have managed to become busier than ever. We also have managed to maintain our isolation and disconnections with people in spite of all these devices.

People talk on their cell phones to the detriment of the ones they are with at the time, and many admit to fake conversations on the phone to get out of talking "live." We spend hours chatting on a computer, and our family in the next room is silent.

I am not advocating getting rid of these things. I have a cell phone and a computer. However, I do believe in using them and not letting them use me.

There is a saying, "stop and smell the roses," and I think that is great advice. We need to slow down, to relax, rest, and enjoy life around us. Each day is a gift from God. When we take part of that gift from God to read scripture, to pray, and to quietly reflect upon God's love and mercy, we will find ourselves renewed. We become much more focused and productive when we take time out to be quiet in God's presence. When we take the time to honor our Creator, we will receive the "abundant life" promised to us.