A Dime In My Pocket

Karen

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

—Psalm 86:3

Do you remember pay phones? They used to hang on the walls at restaurants and airports, in shopping malls and at gas stations. When you needed to get a message to someone, you dug for the dime your mother (being the proper parent she was) always made sure resided in your jeans pocket. Then you reached for the receiver, slipped your other hand up to the slot, dropped the silver coin in, and dialed. Soon help, or a ride, was on the way.

I used my dimes sparingly when I was a kid in the 1980s, saving them for only completely necessary calls and occasional emergencies. In the course of a month, I resorted to using a reserved dime only a time or two. If a coin were to be used, I wanted to make sure it was really worth it. If not, it stayed conveniently tucked away in my front pocket, waiting for the day it would be called upon to rescue me.

Contrast this with communication on today’s phones. We feel free to text, direct message, or contact someone through social media at the drop of a hat. It makes me think of our relationship with God. Hang with me, now.

I’m afraid that often I am much more like a teen in the ’80s when it comes to calling upon the Lord. I reserve my spiritual dimes for the times when I really need Him, making sure it is worth the effort of prayer. When I fear I will be spiritually stranded without a ride, I call upon the Lord. Other times, sadly, I must admit my spiritual phone sometimes stays off.

Instead, I should feel free to message Him about any and everything and, as a result, stay constantly connected to Him throughout the course of my day. His line is never busy, and He longs to connect with me more than an occasional time or two a week. I too can call (pray), text (journal), save a message (memorize scripture), or return a message (praise Him) no matter the time or place! Oh, if only God’s presence in our everyday lives became as precious and desired as our attachment to our phones!

How about it, fellow phoner? This week when we pick up our phones, let it trigger our memory of today’s verse. Call upon the Lord. All day long. He will answer every time.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for resorting to prayer only when I need You for something. I resolve now to keep connected with You all through my day. I’ll call upon You in times of need as well as when I just want to thank You or spend time with You. You are my only lifeline. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When it comes to prayer, do you connect with God many times during the day, or are you more the dime-in-my-pocket sort of person? What is one action step you can take to spend more time with God?