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Greyer and with permanent smile lines I refuse to call wrinkles, I’m 50 today but don’t feel any older. However, there are moments when I realise I am …

Like the time I overheard a snippet of a conversation between two young men who were stacking the shelves in the supermarket. One was talking about his latest text message. He was complaining that his girlfriend had changed some arrangements. Then he said "can you imagine what it must have been like trying to have a relationship in the days before text messages…"

I don’t have to imagine. I can remember.

These two young lads could not envisage any other way of life than theirs… Perhaps I’m just as much a product of my life’s influences.

During my fifty years the rate of change of technology has been beneficial in many ways but when there’s a crunch decision or important deal to be done I have learned the benefit of personal face-to face encounter.

Don’t get me wrong, text messaging and social media are great; I’m a user, even a fan but occasionally they are too immediate, too instant, and I could use a little room to cool off, be in less of an ill temper before I reply… I might change my mind and wish later that I hadn’t pressed send, or that I had worded the answer or message very differently or best of all set up a meeting to do it person to person.

John’s Gospel says, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes,".

Heavenly Father,

Older isn’t always wiser.

Help me to show good judgement and kindness in all today’s encounters whether face to face or message to message.

Amen.