Who repaired my television?

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
― Groucho Marx

*****

Yesterday we had a power surge that knocked our television out. The only way we knew it is that Sonja keeps a video playing with nature sounds going most days.

But that got me thinking about our television.

First of all, one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me was not having a television in our home.

I don’t think there was ever a time that I really regretted it. Television just didn’t attract me. The first television I had in my life was after I got married. Sonja had a small 13″ black and white set that we watched occasionally.

But for the most part, I’ve had too many things I wanted to do rather than sitting around watching other people do things.

No regrets whatsoever.

Of course this does not make me morally superior and I am certainly not suggesting that others who do enjoy watching television are morally inferior.

But facts are, television plays far too big a role in most people’s lives.

(I know, this is so boringly “preachy” so this would be a good time to stop reading and go watch something on television or scroll through your social media feed. But if you dare to read on…)

John Gottman, in his book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, states: “It is a sad fact that less than a third of U.S. families eat dinner together regularly, and more than half of those that do have the television on. This effectively ends conversation during dinner.”

A quick online survey substantiates his claims and reveals that things have only gotten worse since he wrote his book.

“Screen time” is a major and troubling issue in our society.

We know this…but we ignore it.

Could I ask a favor of you? Please prayerfully take inventory of your life…and of your family’s lives concerning this manner. Unless you are one of those who are in the rare minority, changes are probably required.

The ONE THING for today: There is no such things as “free time”. We will give an account of every second of our lives. Let us give a good account of ourself. And I’m guessing that will required far less “screen time” than most of us are experiencing currently.

Oddly enough our television worked its kinks out and is now working just fine. What I wonder…Was it the devil who repaired it or were we just unfortunate?