The premise of the novel, Last Light, is a Christian family gets stuck in the middle of chaos as the world is cast into a technological dark age. Not sure why at first, all technology ceases to work. Planes crash, cars quit working, cell phones die... in fact all electronic and motorized equipment stops working entirely. Not even generators will turn on.
I enjoyed the novels. They were actually quite entertaining and made me contemplate my own reactions in the same situation. I've felt a little like that family in the story recently. No television, my dryer quit working, my Ipod broke. While a long way from having no machines at all, I have learned first hand just how much work can be involved when the technology we have come to count on quits.
Well, for me, the stress level recently for me had gotten way too high. I spent two weeks with a sinus infection that even spread to my eyes. I couldn't see very well. I felt horrible. The last thing I should have been doing was going outside in the chilly fall weather to hang clothes up to dry... especially for my large family. However, I did... and ended up more sick than I started. I just couldn't seem to get well.
My husband took me to the doctor, then we made our way to buy a dryer. We'll be paying for her for awhile. Normally it goes against everything in me to create more bills. However, I can't risk my health. The stress alone of taking care of five children, running two ministries, homeschooling, and attempting to care for my home had me at a very bad point physically, mentally, and spiritually. For an early Christmas present, we bought a dishwasher too.
I am praying that financially we can pull through for a couple months until we can pay off some of our debt with our tax return. I struggled with acquiring any new debt, but my health has taken hit after hit recently. I don't mind hanging up clothes to save money, but I can't always get all of them hung up and dried quickly enough. Towels and jeans were a nightmare.
I prayed about it. Yes, we will have to sacrifice some of the other things we might want for awhile. However, I have decided that I'm going to embrace some of the technology that helps make my life a little easier. A dishwasher with a large family is wonderful. Dishes and Laundry are my two most time consuming chores. The new dryer has been a godsend in the couple days we have had it.
I enjoy hanging clothes on the line in nice weather. I don't even mind using a drying rack in the house here and there. However, a dryer helps majorly.
I have been so tired lately. Keeping up has been difficult. I have felt like my home isn't a sanctuary. In fact, it has felt like a prison. God put me on this earth at a time when technology has the potential of making life much simpler. Used wisely, and with balance, technology can be a genuine asset. Used unwisely, it can lead to more stress.
One thing that happened in the books Last Light and Dawn's Light is that, without the technology, the family had to pull together. They had to work together to get things accomplished and to just survive. Their relationships with each other and with Jesus deepened. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?
It would be possible if the lack of technology effected the entire family. In my case, it mostly just caused my workload to be greater. Exhaustion set in and I was not in good shape. However, I should clarify that it wasn't just the lack of a dryer that made things tough. My schedule and commitments have been getting to me for awhile. I'm trying to fix that too, but that situation is more complicated.
I still have one dose of antibiotics to take. I am slowly feeling better, though I am still a bit tired. I am praying that some rest and some vitamins will help my health and energy to improve. I am also praying that, now that I have some mechanical help with chores, I can find time to make my house a home again.
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