PEBKAC can’t be fixed …

I’m technically challenged.  If something can go wrong, it will. If a file must be saved, it now floats somewhere in Cyberspace, never to be found. If everyone says, “It’s easy and only takes a few minutes,” well…

One of the most intelligent, patient, and thoughtful women I know is a tech geek. I think she is my friend because she’s convinced I can overcome my ineptness and wants to witness the transformation. She’s set her sights high.

She has this nifty software program called TeamViewer, where I can grant her permission to log onto my computer remotely, so she can fix what I have destroyed, usually beyond recognition (cue Excel spreadsheet).

The TeamViewer program was easy to install (for her) and lets her sit in the comfort of her own home after midnight in her jammies, all while keeping me from seeing her eye rolls. She is a master at the gobbledygook she wades through to fix the tsunami that would have taken over had I hit one more wrong key.

On my end, I am consigned to keeping my hands far from the mouse and keypad while I sit back and watch her do what she does best. It’s quite fascinating.  Trust me; I’ve had many opportunities to watch my screen morph into something new.

Unless we are connected by phone (I’m capable of carrying on a one-way conversation for a long time), there is no sound. She is working behind the scenes cleaning up my mess, recovering my lost files, and making a duplicate for when it happens—again. But I know she’s there; I see my mouse pointer moving.

She rescues me more often than I care to admit. My text messages of, “Do you have five minutes?” are not ignored even though she knows we’ve rarely conquered an “issue” in less than an hour…or two…or three…

I often wonder if she dreads my texts. Sometimes I ask for a lunch date, which is usually spectacular because she knows I love to try new ethnic foods, and she is willing to drive to the far side of nowhere to find the best restaurant.  I’ve come to refer to our outings as “Danica Days” because time gets away from us.  Before we know it, we’ve spent the entire day together.

The other morning I was incredibly frustrated with something. I looked up and said, “Seriously, God?”  I let Him know I was annoyed and, frankly, was a little concerned He might be a tad bit late in sorting out the “issue” I’d gotten myself into.

Then I remembered TeamViewer. Even when I haven’t invited God into my life’s decisions and plans, He is still working remotely, keeping me from utter destruction. Even when I feel like I’m having a one-way conversation and He isn’t holding up His end, I see things changing before my eyes.

God never gets tired of my “Do You have five minutes?” prayers. The writer of 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” (TLB)  I don’t want to talk to God only when I need something fixed, although He is prepared to hear me when I do.

“For I cried to Him for help with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But He listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it! Blessed be God, who didn’t turn away when I was praying and didn’t refuse me His kindness and love.” Psalm 66:17-20 (TLB). The Psalmist almost seems surprised in this verse.

Sometimes I’m surprised, too. But then there are those days where I lose all sense of time because He and I are genuinely fellowshipping together. In Leviticus 26:12, God reminded the Israelites that he wanted to fellowship with them when He said, “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” (NIV) That’s what I want every day—to experience God to the level I can sense Him walking with me in every facet of my life.

When was the last time you “texted” God and asked Him to spend the day with you? Maybe it’s time you had a little talk with Jesus.

Heidi is an optimist and chooses to find the silver lining in life’s clouds of doubt. This plays out in her writing. Her ability to seamlessly weave scripture into the lives of her characters will uplift and encourage you, while her masterful storytelling will keep you turning page after page and wishing for more. Heidi lives with her husband of thirty years near Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t writing, you will find her outside playing with her two grandsons, walking, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, traveling, or finding an excuse to have an outing with a girlfriend.