Flourishing From Afar

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

“Hey, friend! How did that meeting go? I’ve been meaning to tell you about . . .” Smiling to myself as I washed up the dinner dishes, I watched the video message my friend had recorded the night before. She told me about her day, asked follow-up questions about the recording I’d sent her earlier, and commented on a pair of shoes I had asked her opinion on. As I listened, I made several mental notes for the response I would send after the kitchen was tidied and the house was quiet.

My first foray into video messaging apps was as a means of staying in touch with friends when the world shut down. As life slowly returned to some strange semblance of normal, I largely abandoned this form of communication, preferring to be in the same room as my friends. But I’ve returned to it in the past few months, for two friends I otherwise simply wouldn’t see as much as I would like because of current life circumstances.

Relationships are best when face-to-face, and that will always be my first preference. However, video messaging—especially since recordings can be watched at a later time—has allowed these specific friendships to deepen and flourish when an in-person get-together or even a FaceTime call is not a viable option. Having a new video or two to watch as I go about ordinary tasks adds an element of joy to the day and a spring to my step.

I’ve thanked God for the gift of technology so many times over those several years when it allowed work and school and relationships to continue, even if in a deeply imperfect manner. However, my biggest personal technology blessing has been this video messaging app and my two flourishing together-while-apart friendships. Seeing my friends’ faces and hearing their voices on an almost daily basis has added richness to my life as they’ve given godly advice, prayed over my family, and cracked me up with all sorts of random, silly nonsense. And I’ve done the same for them.

For as many difficulties and negatives as technology can pose, I’m always looking for creative, healthy ways it can be used to encourage and strengthen us and those we love.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Consider how you might use technology to be a blessing to others (and yourself). Choose your favorite idea and implement it this week.