There's an app for that.

"There's an app for that."  The Apple slogan reminds us that within their grand and glorious app store lies the answer to all of our problems.  Any need that we have, had, or would ever have can be fulfilled totally and completely by the tiny wondrous icons that fill it's inner sanctum.  Need to draw something?  There's an app for that.  Need to make a document?  There's an app for that.  Need a game for an addictive diversion?  There's an app for that (but stay away from Candy Crush, seriously).

I have to constantly remind myself that not everyone in the world embraces technology like I do.  Twice in the past week I have observed folks that use technology in slightly well, inefficient ways.  I'm not criticizing anyone here, but you find yourselves saying "How come you aren't using the Doohickey App?"  or "You'd be able to communicate better if you used X or Y app."  But, I've had others in higher echelons of technobabble say the same sort of unintentional condescending things toward me too...so I get it.

One of the most frustrating feelings is creating or doing something to help, only to see it be ignored or unapprecciated.  You've been there.  You've taken time out of your busy schedule to stop by and help someone with something at their house, only to never get a thank-you.  You've given a gift that you've put a lot of thought into to a friend, and you see it sitting on a shelf unused, discarded or regifted.  It hurts, doesn't it?  On the app illustration again, I imagine that a developer somewhere creates an app:  they put in blood, sweat and tears knowing that somewhere, someone has a need that program will help.  How disappointing it must be when no one downloads, installs, or uses what they worked so hard to create, all the while knowing that they could have made a difference.

I think God's Word, a.k.a. "The Bible" or "The Good Book" (It's actually a GREAT book) is something like that in our lives.  God gave us this special gift, an "app store," if you will, of tools that can help us with a myriad of life's problems.  Discouraged?  There's a scripture for that.  Feeling hopeless?  There's a promise for that.  Feeling angry?  There's encouragement for that.  Fearful? There's protection for that.  Do you have a song on your heart?  There's a psalm for that.

You may not consider yourself the greatest theologian the world has ever seen.  You may be a Bible "noob." (a.k.a. newbie, novice, beginner) and are not quite at a place where you're using your Bible to its fullest potentional.  Hey, that's okay.  We all start somewhere.  But, the tools are there.  If you take time to familiarize yourself with the great resource of the Scriptures, you'll find that "app" perfect for you.

And, as an addendum, do make a point to acknowledge when someone takes the time to do something for you to help you. Even if it's not "your way" of doing things...always think about what effort went behind whatever was given or done, and see it in a different light.  It's better to be gracious over an imperfect gift than to break a relationship because of your indifference.