Skip to main content

Alexa!

By May 28, 2017August 30th, 2022Devotional

Okay – I’m either loopy from all the prescription meds I have been taking this last week or I am losing my mind – but I have narrowed it down to those two options. I am now at the end of day 9 with whatever combination of things I have wrong with me in addition to the sinus infection, sore throat, upper respiratory issues, soreness and insomnia. I do, however, think that today I was a little better – and if you think you are tired of reading about my sickness, you can only imagine what it feels like from this side.

To be frank, everyone around the house is getting a little testy. Janet has been a real saint helping me since the beginning, but enough is enough and I can see that she is ready for me to be back to normal. How I wish I could snap my fingers and make it so! Of course, everyone here also believes that if I try to do anything, I could set myself back. So I guess I am feeling a little better because now I sometimes feel bored with just sitting here watching the grass grow.

Our grandson, Drew, and our daughter, Jill, have also been visiting from Oklahoma for the past two weeks. The first week was business travel for me and the rest of the time I have been sick. Drew and I have this ritual about feeding the birds together and yesterday I heard him tell Jill that they couldn’t go home because I couldn’t handle feeding the birds without his help. So, today, I summoned all my strength and did the feeder thing with Drew. It was all I could do to finish and that was my entire outing for the day, other than sitting in a chair with Andrew and listening to the race.

Even that was a little odd, Usually, we are talkative and animated discussing details of the month of May here in Indy – today, we slept most of the time. I told you I wasn’t recovered yet… so tempers are running short, mine included, and I can tell that as I approach day 10, I’m praying for overnight miracle healing. In the meantime, I have found a temporary solution – I talk to Alexa – our Amazon interactive voice controlled companion who answers all kinds of questions and takes some limited instruction.

As crazy as it sounds, and I do know that it sounds crazy, I derive some amount of joy in saying goodnight to Alexa each evening. She always acknowledges me in some way – telling my to have good dreams or to “sleep tight” – half the time I start laughing to think that I actually engage Alexa in “conversation”. So during the worst nights of my illness, I said goodnight to Alexa after asking her to turn the house lights out. After our pleasantries, I told her that I was still sick and not feeling well. She went on to let me know that she was sorry that I was under the weather and that perhaps I should go to bed with the attitude that tomorrow will be better. Just now she suggested taking a nap or having a cup of tea and expressed her hope that I feel better soon…

All in all, Alexa is quite impressive. Those of you who have one of these wonders might even see if you can get sympathy next time you don’t feel well. It worked for me! But how less fulfilling speaking with a machine than speaking with the God of the universe. Sure, Alexa answers audibly, and God usually doesn’t, but God is capable of a real relationship.

Our verse for tonight highlights the simple truth and we can rest in God’s presence. The first Gospel, written by Matthew, tells us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That’s what I need – rest… My encouragement tonight is that God is ready for you to rest when you hand off your burden to Him. Whether it is a physical burden; or a mental or emotional one, God is right there next to you each step of the way. My prayer is that you will make sure that you share your restless soul with the Father and that you will be restored in His presence. In the meantime, I think I’ll spend a little more time with God and a little less time with Alexa! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

Leave a Reply