Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a good weekend and enjoyed their memorial day. 🙂 I went to Playa Carrizalillo on Sunday with my sister (insert heart-eyes emoji.) It was so beautiful. The crystal clear water, breeze, perfect sand, and blazing sun were a perfect combo. The only negative part of this little adventure was since I’m terrible at putting on sunscreen and I have THE WORST splotchy sunburn. I look so goofy. 😦 BUT here’s a few pictures from our weekend adventures. 🙂

Fruit smoothies before the Rock Walk

Beautiful views from the Rock Walk

I’m not coming home

Playa Carrizalillo

So I can add sunscreen fail to the long list of things I’ve leaned in Mexico. Since I’ve been in Mexico, and I don’t have a international cell phone plan, I’ve had to learn how to not rely on my phone so much. I only have Internet when I’m on wifi (which isn’t very often). So there is a lot of time during the day that I’m without my phone. Because of this I’ve noticed just how much time I’ve had to have meaningful conversations. I’ve noticed how much I truly listen to what people are saying to me. So it’s got me thinking about how good of a listener I think I am (key word think.)

I would consider myself a good listener; I mean most of us would. But as I began to think about past conversations I’ve had they usually include many, “What,” “Say that again,” “What did you say.”

When you read about Jesus’ life one of the most noticeable things about Him, was his ability to be engaged with people. I mean He knew everything that people were thinking but it never stopped Him from slowing down to listen to their needs.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mark 10: 27 NLT

Focus on “Jesus looked at them intently and said.”

How often do we complain that we don’t have enough time to spend extra time with that girl God has put on your heart to mentor? How often do we say, “I’m so busy,” “I’ve just been so busy,” “No one understands how busy I’ve been.” And y’all, I’m right there with you! I’m in the busiest season of my life. I get it! Heck, I’ve said all those phrases at least three times a day for like 6 months. But it’s not okay.

The next statement I’m about to make may offend some, it offends me, but it’s true. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how well do we steward that time? Do we spend countless hours watching YouTube videos, trolling Facebook, liking endless photos on Instagram, or watching mindless TV? I know for a fact that 100% of the time, I do not steward my time well. This causes me to try to do multiple things at once. I rarely turn off my phone and unplug to simply lend an ear to someone.

Intently means: with earnest and eager attention.

Jesus was a very busy guy. His time was short. He knew it, but he always made time for people. He always made time to stop to listen, heal, weep, and have community. Just because we are busy people who are addicted to our cell phones, does not mean we can neglect this vital aspect of the Christian life. We just can’t.

So to close this I want to challenge you to unplug. Please intently listen to people. Jesus never let a “lack of time” get in the way of this. You may miss a few pictures but I promise those deep conversations will have more of an impact on your life than thousands of mindless hours on the Internet.

In Christ,

Hannah

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

 Also, here is an interesting BuzzFeed Video about a few people who give up their phone for a week.