Phone Static by Marilyn Nutter

“I keep hearing some sort of noise,” Judy said as our conversation was interrupted again.

"I’m sorry,” I answered. “It’s my phone. I reached for this phone because it was close by, but it often gives us problems.” 

We laughed and thought about convenience. Yes, the phone in my office was a short reach and convenient, but it wasn’t the best phone to use. How like us! We often choose the easier or more convenient option rather than the best one.

In the book of Genesis, God promises Abram offspring. “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them.” Then he says to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Gen. 15:4) 

But when we pick up their story in Genesis 16 and Abram is 85 years old, we read that they have no children…yet. 

Sarai becomes impatient, “The Lord has kept me from having children,” she says to her husband and tells him to sleep with her servant Haggar so she can build her family. 

As the story unfolds, Haggar becomes pregnant and Sarai becomes angry. Sarai throws Haggar out of the house. Sarai’s lack of trust in God-led her to devise a plan that appeared to be sensible and convenient. But the results were disastrous. 


Reaching for a convenient phone led to static and caused Judy and I to miss parts of our conversation. Other convenient choices have more serious “static.” 

Are you about to make a convenient decision rather than wait for God’s timing? Think about taking the routes of faith and wisdom, not expediency, and do things God’s way. It requires patience and trust, but in God’s economy, the outcome will be best.

Read about Marilyn Nutter, her books and speaking ministry on the Lead Writers' Page.