Unsubscribe!

A wise friend recently reminded me about the importance of setting boundaries in even the small matters of life . So the next time I booted up my computer , instead of simply deleting those unsolicited email advertisements , I scrolled down to the bottom of each one in search of a permanent solution — the Unsubscribe link . Clicking that link will most certainly put control of the inbox back into my hands , I thought . I should have done this a long time ago . This will be a piece of cake !

My click on the minuscule Unsubscribe link at the bottom of the first email advertisement summoned a pop - up screen . It bore the message , “ We value our friendship with you , Carolyn , and are so sorry if we’ve worn out our welcome . May we contact you once weekly instead of daily ? ” Was that a twinge of guilt I suddenly felt since the reply seemed so personal ? Yet with resolve , I clicked the No option .

My click of the next email’s Unsubscribe link brought , “ Carolyn , may we share just future flash deals with you ? ” Sigh. But again, no. The third electronic ad queried, “Why do you want to end this pleasant relationship? We feel so bad about losing you! ”

Come on , people , I groaned . I’m not resigning from membership to some elite club . I just want you out of my inbox ! Ignoring the “ Click here to be reinstated on our mailing list ” and “ Continue shopping ” links , I finished my laborious task — but only after unsubscribing to fifteen additional email ads . I had no idea I’d been getting so much unsolicited email .

Then I suddenly wondered , Am I fully aware of distractions , situations , and temptations sneaking into my soul’s inbox from which I need — intentionally and perseveringly — to unsubscribe ? The apostle Paul wrote , “ Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness ” ( Ephesians 5 : 11 , KJV , emphasis added ) . Was that his way of warning us to guard against time - wasting pastimes and influences that would distract from a total focus on Jesus ? Reflecting further on his words , I suspect Paul was reminding us that whatever slips into our mental , emotional , or spiritual inboxes — which does not keep us focused on Jesus — we must make every effort to unsubscribe from , getting it out of our lives . From what might you need to unsubscribe today ?

Carolyn Rathbun Sutton