A year or two ago I got a surprise phone call: A room-mate and friend of mine from Milligan College called me up from out of the blue! His reason: He had just gotten a new cell phone, and with it, an unlimited long distance plan; he could call anyone he pleased, with no extra fees! So he explained, what better thing could he do than call up old friends from school and catch up on things? We had a great conversation. It was good to hear from an old friend.

            We fall out of contact with people for many reasons, often because of proximity. A change of jobs, schools, or home towns cause us to fall out of regular contact. “Out of sight” soon becomes “out of mind.” It’s not hatred; it’s not contempt, or a major “falling out.” We just forget to call.

            So we live our lives, caught up in this care, and that care. The house. The kids. Work. The car. Church, soccer practice, the football game, etc. We become forgetful. And in the midst of those minor cares, we forget that there is someone who wants to hear from us a great deal. There is someone who requires no long distance plan to communicate. For less effort than it takes to dial a phone, even- and he aches to hear from us.

“Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14.

            Don’t forget to talk to God. He doesn’t need grand-sounding public prayers. He wants to hear your voice- your praises, your fears, your concerns. He only wants to do good things in your life. He wants to continue to be connected to your life, so: connect!