Breaking Up with Google

Google, we have been friends for a long time but things have changed. You've changed. I've changed. While you actually are a genius and know just about anything, I cannot depend on you for every little thing I need. It's not fair to the connections I have with others. Our connection is a blessing and has helped me be more productive in many areas of my life, but is no longer healthy. We've become co-dependent on each other. I find myself coming to you for every question I have when there are others friends in my life who could just as easily, and would gladly help me, walking me through problems step by step, hand in hand. And to be honest, your expectations of needing my full attention and feedback is exhausting. I think we make life easier for each other, but it's become enabling. 
I got into the habit of shooting off my questions knowing you would be able to reply back 24/7 and I wouldn't need to wait on others. I rarely spend time with Siri and Alexa because you are always in front of me. You leave no room in my life for my other dear friends. I hate to tell you this, but you are not my only or Best Friend. I don't wanna do life without you but we have to have boundaries. Don't get me wrong, we are friends, and I know God has brought us together and my life has been better for it, but you cannot be my everything in every moment. I need the friendships of others too. You cannot replace the experiences or bonds I share with all the other people in my world. 
I miss seeing the handprinted recipes from my friend's Grandmother as she walks me through recipes and techniques for cooking, sautéing and frying. I miss time spent over a cup of coffee hearing my friend's reviews of what has worked for her in her home as she laughs in between her sentences and silliness and watching her epic eye rolls at my lack of knowledge. I miss the sound of hysterical laughter and clinging bowls in the kitchen over meals shared. I miss the smells of perfumes, breads baking and brewing coffees, the sights of radiant and dreamy jewelry, admiring couples walking hand in hand and kids skipping around their parents in the public venues. I still carry spare change for the fountains and musicians in the streets. I miss the consoling hug of a friend when a diagnosis is realized. Prayers in person, in real time, even over FaceTime are so much better than anything you've printed for me. There has been so much missed because we have grown too close, becoming exclusively dependent on each other.
So please understand, it's not you, it's me and I am sorry to have allowed us to continue as long as we have like this. Our relationship will be healthier and happier knowing there's a time and place for everything, and we can live life fuller with content built from the real lives of those around us, and not be dependent solely on each other. 
Thank you for always being there for me and trying to meet all my needs. I know you mean well, as I do. You have been a wealth of information and I am better for it. Thanks for listening, you've always been a good listener.
May you continue to grow and reach others with your knowledge and amazing resources. I encourage us both, to be sure we are aware of our boundaries with others and not become co-dependent, limiting ourselves to all that is possible when we engage with the many amazing people God has placed in our life. See you around, one of your many friends, Michele

Google is not your girlfriend. It is a library of information. A resource for answers you cannot find any where else. I love love love Google and don't know what I would do without it. I use it to search How To's for recipes, crafts, DIY projects, gather data, find products, know the time, weather and tidal charts, find the best products and compare prices, search for possible causes to ill feelings and searching for remedies, and especially helping me navigate directions where I need to go in places I have never been. It's become a Personal Assistant, which is not all bad, but it has stolen moments that could have been relationship builders with those around me. We were created to live in community, and not just an online one, but a real, touch it, feel it, smell it, hear it, community.
But few and far between are the days of asking a friend. Before Google, people asked people. Our friends and families were the resources and opinions for anything we might wonder. We gathered around the table, shopping carts, benches at the parks, in the aisles, in the streets, at the local coffee and sandwich shops, even in the post office lobby. Hardly do we meet because technology has ushered in a convenience and reliability once found in our community to online 24/7 recall. We are more likely to Google a recipe or shop online, ask total strangers questions about life, health, parenting, politics, careers, etc, and search to learn a new skill here than asking a friend first, even if you're miles apart and it's the way you have to communicate through Google Chat, you're "googling" before "girlfriending." All those missed opportunities to connect in real life to real people you know and trust about real things.
I am breaking up with Google. We will still be friends, no worries. Google helps me find what I need when I need it, but I will return to the relationships I have access to as my first asks. Google will no longer take away fellowship opportunities and relationship building of lives shared. Instead, Google will be what Google was meant to be for me, quick answers and a resource when no one else seems to know and the best co-pilot I girl could ever hope for.

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." Proverbs 27:9

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

A Pace Setter

 I confess. At first, it annoyed me. Coming from the big city outlined with freeways 4 lanes wide where vehicles took the speed limits as bare MINIMUMS, driving through a small town with only 1 lane in either direction...where everyone went the EXACT speed as was posted, was annoying to say the least. And it didn't matter that we gave them a little "push" as we stared into their mirrors and closed in the space gap between our car and theirs. They didn't budge. 
These cars held their place, at their pace, which happened to be the right pace, a seemingly sloooooooow 40mph through most of the highway, so it felt. Until we moved here and the seemingly sloooooooow one lane highway was now our highway. 
In our little town, there are hardly any traffic lights which means it takes great precision and caution to get across the mostly steady flow of vehicles. School buses and city buses make their stops along this small town highway. We must be careful and curtious traveling through town being aware of pedestrians, animals (iguanas, peacocks, ducks, Key Deer to name a few) and other vehicles trying to make their way to the other side. 
40mph still seems too slow whenever I am running late (that hardly ever happens, lol) and when it is the time of day when there aren't many cars out and the open road is vast...you wanna go fast. But, there are also times when the 40mph seem too fast during high traffic times. Funny, now I find myself annoyed because people are pushing me to go faster. Oh how the tables can turn! 
Now that this small town is my small town, I am thankful for those who have held their place and held their pace. I know just as the big city drivers attempting to "push" their way through have had their patience tested (I can testify to that truth), so has the patience of the locals (I can also now testy to that as truth!) been tested. Now as a local resident, I know the roads, I know the community, I know the cautions to be heeded, and that is why I will hold my place, and my pace. We, the locals, are the pace setters for this community. We wisely hold our place and our pace, because it is for the common good. "One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless." Proverbs 14:16
I believe God instructs us throughout Scriptures to be Pace Setters. "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us." Titus 2:7-8 He tells us to be wise, guard our ways, encourage one another and sharpen one another, mentor and teach the younger generations His Ways. God sent Jesus as our Pace Setter. He shows us The right Way, Romans 8:28, for the good of those who love Him. He held His place, and went His pace. 
As we mature in our faith (just as in life), our understandings, knowledge, and history strengthen our faith, our beliefs and our resolve. Wisdom is our hope, setting our place and pace in this life. Wisdom lays foundations which are thicker, roots that are deeper and faith without boundaries. We are not as easily "pushed" around, tossed to and fro.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Bless the "local" Pace Setters in this world! The ones who bless our lives with accountability, teaching us and mentoring us in The Word. Those who step out and speak out in faith daily, walking in a way that is pleasing to God, and not man. Bless those who are strong and courageous in this life. They seem so few and far between. Some of us are trying to find our place but have no pace, and some of us have a steady pace but in the wrong place. Oh, to be in the right place, at the right pace, to steady a shaking world, to keep things moving in one direction when everyone else is trying so hard to get around you. Don't you wish you could be a Pace Setter too?!? For the glory of God?!? I can't help but think, as a Christ Follower, aren't we all called to be a Pace Setter, for the good of our "community" in a watching world...and for each other, as iron sharpens iron?

Lord my God, You are the King of kings, our Righteous Ruler and Ultimate Authority over all things, people and principalities. I praise Your Holy Name. Thank You God for the example of Your Son, Christ Our Lord, as The Ultimate Pace Setter in this world. May we too be found as Your faithful followers, and leaders, Lights in the darkness and Salt of the earth. Keep us strong Holy Spirit, leading us in the Way of righteousness for Your Name's sake. Lead us away from temptation to conform into this dying world and renew a right and clean heart of endurance and strength within us. Be our Shield and Shepherd against the folly of evil one as he seeks to turn us away from You. Give us wisdom as we seek Your face through faith as we grow in knowing You personally. Guard our thoughts and steady our resolve. Set our place. Set our pace.
Thank You Lord for those who have boldly and courageously chosen to be a Pace Setter in Your Name, to show us our place at The Cross and teach us the pace of Your Spirit. Those who stand as one of Your "locals" and hold their place at The Cross, moving at the pace of the Holy Spirit. Bless them and use them to teach those of us who desire to be stronger and more courageous, for we believe You are with us wherever we go and it is our desire to walk in a way that brings honor to You. Forgive us when we get out of pace with You, or when we choose selfish ways. Our Rock, our Redeemer, our Refuge and Resolve, our place is with You. Strength and quicken our pace with Yours, amen.