Phoning it In
Photo Credit: PDP via Pixabay
When I got married in 2009, we decided to forgo cable. The budget was tight, and we didn’t watch a whole lot of TV anyway (this was our reasoning.). The problem was that I live in South Florida, and I like basketball. When Miami unexpectedly acquired LeBron James, suddenly not having cable was a great tragedy.
After a season in basketball darkness, we paid off some debts and decided to splurge on cable — and I introduced my husband to Dwayne Wade on a weekly basis until they became friends. Right now, I am sitting in my living room typing this during half time.
Now that we have more than 3 channels again, I’ve discovered that my husband and I have much different tastes in programming. I could watch House Hunters and Property Brothers all day, but he ends up leaving the room after about fifteen minutes. I have also learned that there is actual programming on the Weather Channel — my husband seems to enjoy watching footage of tornadoes ravaging entire cities.
A few weeks ago, my husband was away on Monday nights for about a month. So, I did what any girl set free from male “remote control domination” would do. I watched Dancing with the Stars — because DJ is on this season, and I couldn’t resist. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Winnie Cooper was also participating. Double the fun!
I was slightly traumatized after episode 3 because the “powers that be” decided that it would be a good idea to do a “surprise dance partner switch.” I was already used to watching DJ with Mark Ballas, and the thought of squeaky clean Candace possibly having to dance with bad boy Max made me squirm for her.
The following week, I was not able to tune in — husband was back home that night, and he is not a fan of ballroom dancing, sexy costumes, or prickly judges. But I later learned that Max ended up dancing with Winnie Cooper, and it did not go too well. The guest judge actually accused him of “phoning it in” that night.
I watched the performance (thank you You Tube), and I certainly didn’t think he had given a half-hearted effort. But, for some reason, I’ve been thinking about that judge’s snarky comment quite a bit. Maybe it’s because I look into my heart, and I wonder if I like to “phone it in” a bit too much myself.
I know what I am called to do. I am a wife. I am an employee. I am church member. I am a friend.
I’ve worn these hats for several years now. If I step into my roles with love and passion, I am pleasing to God.
I can’t “phone it in” with my husband or with my boss or with God.
If I am not careful with my heart, delight will turn into a duty,
and duty could transform into drudgery.
and drudgery might pave the road to danger.
I love your closing words. I find that when I spread myself too thin my heart is one of the first places to take a hit and duty, drudgery, and danger are never far behind. Great words today!
Hedges and boundaries are a good thing. I am trying to be more mindful.
Oh, I’m hearing you, Lyli … that ‘call’ to phone it in comes too easily to me. Your words hit the spot today. And please know that they’re going to stay with me.
Thank you, my friend! God uses your wise heart in my life.
I printed a copy of the picture at the top of this post and have it on my desk at work to remind me.
Oh my gosh, Lyli, this is truly something to think about! I know I can be guilty of the very same thing at times. May I learn to to be careful with my heart and only take on that which I can do with delight. Wonderful insight in this post & I am grateful you shared your thoughts!
Yes, Joanne! Sometimes, less is more. We get too busy with the doing that we lose the delight.
Lyli,
Wonderful blog! I know I can be guilty of “phoning it in” sometimes and that’s not ever a good thing.
Lord, help me to not phone in my time with my family or YOU. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Jessica, seeing you here on my blog made me smile! Hugs
I must be missing the meaning of phoning it in. I’m lame like that sometimes. Do you mean it to mean giving a half hearted attempt at something? Not giving it your best? See you do have me thinking.
Yes, that is exactly what I mean. It’s like you are faking it but you are not really passionate about it.
I love stopping by and reading your nuggets of truth-they are definitely Thought-Provoking!
Yay, Alecia! I am glad that you are encouraged (it’s the reason why I blog!) 🙂
Lyli, you hit a sore spot with me. I acknowledge that there’s a few areas where I’ve been going through the motions but not being fully engaged. Thanks for the wake up call.
Elizabeth, I think this is a real temptation for all of us in full-time ministry, and one of the ways that the enemy gets a foothold.
Die Gelassenheit muss erst erlernt werden, trainiere Dich zur Gehsesanleit. Durch Gleichmut kommst Du zur inneren Ruhe, und so meisterst Du mit Fassung schwierige Situationen.
Lyli,
You taught me a new phrase, “phoning it in,” …..Thanks also for the reminder to not do that in my life and in my relationships 🙂 Blessings to you 🙂
My husband said, “No one is going to know what this post means” when he read it. The phrase was new to him as well. 🙂
“House Hunters” and basketball…YES, we should most definitely hang out in real life! 😉 Thanks for the link-up Lyli! Have a great weekend ahead! ~ Jen
Ha! But, would we be rooting for the same team? 🙂
Oh, this is so very good!
You are such an encourager, Jen. xoxo
Love the lesson but also enjoyed getting an inside look into your life. I love HGTV too and keep it on way too much. No to Dancing with the Stars but tornadoes are fun to watch. I think I could get along well with both of you. LOL
We don’t watch a whole lot of TV, Jean. But when the hubby is not home, I tend to put on HGTV to keep me company while I am playing on my laptop.
Always thought-provoking, Lyli. Thanks you for that. You made me smile too over you and your husband’s different TV interests. I must say right now I get to watch whatever I want…but I’d rather be debating over what we watch and have my husband home. 🙂 Much love to you.
Praying for you, Beth.
When we phone it in – we miss the good stuff – and making stuff really good! Trying to live intentional – trying not to phone it in! Good point – BTW – I love house hunters, too:)
Somehow I knew that you would love House Hunters, too. 🙂
Once again you made a point to make me think. You are right.. you can’t phone in on those things that are real and living. Really, we have to be intentional, relational, and somewhat of a risk-taker to be engaged in life with people, it is the pattern Jesus set.
Bless you Lyli!
<3 Dawn
Jesus never “phoned it in,” and I am thankful that He didn’t.
My hubs likes to watch those tornadoes ravaging too :). Good words, Lyli. I’ve been going through the motions in many ways lately. Sometimes I think it’s the faithful robotics, though, that get me through the dry spells 🙂
I understand where you are coming from, Laura. Sometimes, you have to do it out of obedience and pray for the delight to follow. I have been there.
You know, this was a great post. First of all, you and I love the same shows! And, though I adore March Madness, I am an ice hockey fan because of my son. Regardless, I laugh at myself – for my TV tastes run from dancing to cooking shows to house flipping to hockey to detective shows. I am not a Weather Channel person.
But, I love the rest of your post, too. We are called to so much more than phoning it in. May we be diligent and hard-working servants of the Lord in EVERYTHING we do!!
GOD BLESS!
(Max…ew. Winnie Cooper rules.)
I would love to meet you in real life, Sharon. I think that would be fun. 🙂
Oh man, I think I am living the last portion of your post right now! Trying heart to keep my heart alive and not fall into duty, drudgery or danger. Thanks for sharing!
It’s good to know that i am not alone in the fight, Barbie. Let’s keep fighting. Hugs