Robots Meeting Needs?

The other day I read an article about a robot that was helping in Dutch retirement communities. The retirees are led by the robot in their daily exercises and it keeps them company through one on one conversations. As  I read on, the article explained that family members didn’t have time to visit and care for the retirees, so the robot was meeting those needs. I imagine that most of the family members are unaware of the needs because they are seemingly being met. If I’m not mistaken, the writer of the article seemed to be implying that the needs being met in this way was a really great thing. For me, this was so very sad to hear. It made me think about what needs in my own life are being met in artificial ways and also about what needs others have that God created me to meet that I am unaware of.

The only way that I can be aware of the needs in others is if I am in relationship with them and am communicating a safe environment where feelings can be shared honestly. If I choose to relieve my stress through technology (TV, Facebook, internet, movies) or other non-relational outlets I am short changing myself. It is only through relationship with others (Jesus being the prioritized one) that I can receive the lasting healing that is needed when my endorphins are depleted as a result of the many stresses that come into my life.

Each one of us should evaluate what stresses we have and what things we are doing to promote healing and adversely what things we are doing to dull the pain temporarily. Along with that evaluation, we should evaluate our relationships and ensure that we are not only communicating an openness to listen and help with healing, but also that we are asking the right questions to help others open up and share deeply.