Being Selfless in a Selfie Generation

Long gone are the days when we used our cameras to take pictures of our family and friends. I never asked someone to take a picture of me all alone. It was always me with my friends or me with my boy friend and later, my husband and family. Selfies didn’t exist then and cameras were too large and awkward to hold steady while taking a photo of ourself. My phone is too awkward to hold steady for me to take a selfie – so no fear – you won’t be seeing this gal – up close and personal!

How times have changed! Selfies have changed the way many people take photographs. We used the "selfie" opportunity to get all of us in the photo when we didn't have an outsider to take the photo for us at our retreat on Saturday. My children have used it to get all of us in the photo for the same reason. Sometimes we just need to be US focused. But the true "selfie" is about me taking photos of ME! One celebrity said she takes 500 selfies before finding one she likes enough to post. Another article said the average teen takes 12 minutes per selfie, from preparing the shot to editing it. It really is a "ME" generation!

How is it that God gave us so many examples in the Bible so many years ago that are so relevant to our lives in this social media, high-tech world today? St. Paul wrote this: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit”. (Philippians 2:3)

Honestly, I am writing this blog today – not because of a selfie issue, but I like to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit enough to know when I’m letting pride sneak into my life. Pride is an enemy of our souls. I feel that gentle nudge when I’m overthinking what I’m going to wear for this or that occasion. Or if I had to have the last word in a conversation. Or, yes, I may be a guilty of over-checking my social media posts for "likes" or "loves". All these admitted issues certainly feed the pride in my life. I sense it and I have to repent when I’ve fallen prey to those snares of the enemy. I didn’t finish the Philippians 2:3 scripture above – the second part says “rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Did Paul know what we would be doing in this day and time? It sure sounds like it, doesn’t it?, He’s telling us to be more interested in focusing on valuing others.

“Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves. It’s thinking of ourselves less.” The more we put the spotlight on others, the happier and more fulfilled we'll become. Maybe instead of selfies, we should turn outward to others and smile, not for a selfie, but so others who need to be valued, could sure use that smile today!

Life is Just a Handbreadth

I had to look up the word, handbreadth, as I read this scripture. “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” Psalm 39:5. Handbreadth is defined as a linear measurement approximately the width of the palm of the hand, from 2.5 to 4 inches. That’s a very small measurement in terms of the length of our lives. It also says that "everyone is but a breath"! And the way time is rolling on in lightning speed the older I get -- I believe it!

When we moved my mother-in-law to my sis-in-law’s home last year, mom was on a mission to give away so many of her treasures. For everthing else, we had an estate sale. It took us a while to distribute it all because Mom wanted to go through every picture from her archives and those that had merited a prominent place in her home. Karen and I patiently sat with her as she explained the back-story for most of the photos. Many of the people in those photos have gone on to heaven. This photo is from her 90th birthday and some of those pictured here who left for heaven already. Many of Mom's other pictures were of her mom and dad and she was a much younger version of herself in them. She treasured them because life was changing for her. She was now the great grandma and she is the oldest of anyone in her photos. Goodness, I think about me and my own family. All my siblings are gone and I'm the oldest remaining. Indeed, life is just a handbreadth.

A few days ago I attended the funeral of a beloved aunt on my husband’s side of the family. I’m the widowed in-law, but this family has always welcomed me in as one of their own. I have the sweetest memories with this family of so many members. That day I looked around the chapel and the restaurant afterwards. I took in the faces one by one, appreciating something about each of them. I put my phone in my purse. It wasn’t nearly as important as talking to the one next to me. The room was crowded and noisy, and I realized that one day it would be quiet — for many in this room will be all grown up and others will be gone to heaven too.

One day, we’ll remember this day of celebrating the life of a dear mom, grandmother, wife, sister, and aunt when we’re probably celebrating the life of another precious family member who has just departed. We’ll talk about the way we were and we’ll sing songs about heaven. If only we realized the beauty that awaits us, we’d indeed be thanking God that our days are a mere handbreadth before we get to go there too.

My hope is that I’ll watch it and know I didn’t live those moments disengaged or distracted. That I engaged in my own life in the handbreadth of time I was given, valuing all those I love. Lord, help me treasure precious moments as memories in the making. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 144:4, “They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.”