Just when I thought I had plodded through all the owner’s manuals I’d have to read for awhile, here comes something else. The UPS guy just rolled up and dropped off another new high-tech gadget that my husband is sure will enhance my life – AFTER I endure the torture of learning how to use it.
This time, it’s Replay T.V. – a shiny aluminum box full of wires, circuits and computer intelligence that I suspect is way smarter than I am. It’s supposed to allow us to record T.V. shows without using a videotape or DVD – it stores the programs on its very own computer hard drive. And, get this – you can pause a show while it’s on live T.V., go pop some popcorn, talk on the phone, let the dog out and floss your teeth, and then come back and pick up the show right where you left off.
If I can ever figure out how to use it, this Replay T.V. thing might be one of Joe’s better purchases after all. I just wish I had one of these gadgets to backtrack, fast forward and edit my real life.
Maybe you have seen the T.V. commercial that shows some guy saying something unbelievably tacky and stupid, followed by the commentator asking if we don’t all sometimes wish life could be rewound and re-recorded like a videotape. Who wouldn’t say a hearty “Amen!” to that?
Indeed, there have been too many episodes in my life when I’ve heaped embarrassment and hassle upon myself by saying or doing stupid things. Allowing my brand new car to be crunched by another car at the post office a few months ago immediately comes to mind. Oh, how I wanted to rewind and do those few minutes over again!
Yes, a real-life “Replay” machine would be very handy, indeed. Imagine it …when Mom and Dad are baffled by some parenting challenge, they could “pause” the kids while they consult a few experts. Or if Mom wants to take a quick nap, she could just click the magic “pause” button and, without any harm, the kids would suspend their animation for a few blissful minutes.
Wow – what a wondrous gadget it would be! I’ve wanted to hit the rewind, pause, slow motion and fast forward buttons many, many times in my life.
“That was such a stupid thing to say. Could we just rewind that conversation so I can keep my foot out of my mouth this time?”
“I really had no idea I was driving that fast, officer. If we could rewind and let me start over, I promise I’ll take it slower this time around.”
“I cannot believe I just locked my keys in the car. Could we rewind and this time, I’ll remember to take my keys with me?”
“My boys are all grown up and they’ll be leaving home soon – could we just go into slow motion for awhile? I don’t know if I’m quite ready for an empty nest yet.”
“Ugh – I’m dreading this surgery. Could we please fast forward to the part where I’m feeling better again?”
Alas, as we all woefully know, there aren’t many do-overs in life. Kids don’t slow down, stop growing, or wait for us to become expert parents. Spouses can’t unhear all the unloving things we’ve said in anger and frustration. Friends don’t always wait while we frantically try to find time to be a good friend to them. Accidents can’t be undone; sicknesses can’t be hurried; choices can’t always be reversed.
There is no celestial “replay” machine to bail us out of real life, but God has not left us to flounder without help. He offers love to help us treat our family and friends as the priceless treasures they are; wisdom to stop and ask Him which forks in the road to take; and strength to hang in there while the sickness heals and trouble subsides.
That’s as close we’ll get to a real-life version of Replay T.V., and it’s all we need, every day.