Tag Archives: focus

Birthday Presence

Leave a reply
img_4425

Birthday cake to share with my Troy Mills JAM friends. And I wore the right color sweater!

Today’s the day. I made it. Born on this day in 1960, today I turn 60. Quite a milestone, actually, and one I do not take lightly. Thank you for reaching out to me through social media, texts, cards, in-person visits, and phone calls. I am blessed to have an amazing family and many wonderful friends, near and far. I’ve heard “Happy Birthday” from places like Istanbul, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as states coast to coast. I’ve received beautiful cards with heartfelt sentiments, flowers, coffee, cake, and time spent with family and friends. Those are my birthday presents.

But my goal today is to have birthday presence. To listen, to observe, to acknowledge those in my circle of influence; to be present wherever I am. Life is short. I don’t have time to mess around anymore. I’ve got to be about the important work God has given me to do…and I can’t do it if I’m not present. I can’t stayed mired in regrets, disappointment, and unforgiveness based in the past. My eyes are fixed forward.

I may not be in Istanbul with my sister, but I want to be present with her, listening to her stories, encouraging her in her adventures. I want to give her my presence (even when I can’t be physically present). I want to learn and grow through the expertise and stories of my co-workers, I want to be encouraged by the acts of kindness I witness on my daily walks, or in the grocery store line, or through a Facebook post. I want to share stories of triumph and victory, as well as mistakes and failures.

It sounds a bit arrogant but I want to give my presence to my youth group, the next generation of leaders, teachers, scientists, writers, pastors, artists, mothers, fathers. I don’t mean I’m the greatest person ever – but I know these students need someone outside of their family dedicated to loving them, listening to them….

I want to be a better aunt, sister, mom, wife…and I think if I commit to being present wherever I am, that’ll be a good start. May mean putting the phone and remote down, turning off the music, closing the book, turning my eyes and ears away from distractions and then, connecting.

Focus – my word for 2020 – is taking on deeper meaning, just two weeks into the year. Here’s to greater days yet to come and even more birthday presence.save-image

 

My 2020 Chapter

Leave a reply

Couldn’t sleep last night. Not totally unusual but instead of heading out to the couch, I stayed in bed and tried to power through it. Like you can ever make your mind be quiet when it wants to talk. And spin. And rehash the day. And worry about tomorrow. But toward the end, as I felt myself slowly head toward slumber, I heard God whisper. Truly. I’ve heard Him before so I recognized His voice. And I unmistakably heard Him say: “Romans 12.” And then I slept.

This morning I vividly recalled it all. And I rushed (sorry, God) through my regular Bible reading so I would not have to rush through reading Romans 12. I was not disappointed. I mentioned to my husband what I’d heard from the Lord and he said, “That’s the discipleship chapter.” (Hey, I do enjoy a few perks being married to a very smart Bible teacher.) After reading the chapter in the Message, I knew God had given me a whole Bible chapter for this year. I’m not even going to talk about it right now – I have all year to take little bites, research words and motives, and slowly savor what God will speak to me through those 21 verses. save-image

Yes, I have a 2020 word (focus), and a few 2020 habits to grow into goals, but I’ve never had a chapter from the Bible for the year. I’m excited to FOCUS on Romans 12 this year. Take a look yourself.

Romans 12 in The Message version.

 

 

Squirrel!

Leave a reply

squirrel

Remember Dug, the loveable golden retriever in the Disney movie “Up?” He had a couple of famous lines such as “I have just met you and I love you,” and “I do not like the cone of shame.” Dug was also the character many with ADHD identified with because he was easily…“Squirrel!”

Dug’s tendency to be sidetracked by just about anything was fun in the movie but distractions aren’t always entertaining. They can keep us busy but cause important things to be derailed.

Distractions, by definition, prevent us from giving full attention to something else. Lately there has been a big “Don’t Text & Drive” ad campaign to keep us from being distracted by our phones while operating a vehicle. Too many passengers in a car may be a distraction for a young driver. The many different social media websites can certainly be distractions from accomplishing more important tasks.

Today I’m going to try to give up distractions in order to focus more fully on the essentials. My faith, my family, my work…these are all areas I need to keep in my vision without “squirrel-moments” taking me down “rabbit trails.”

avoid-distractions

Is Facebook calling your name? Did you just get a notification on your phone that someone responded to your latest status? Wanting to check your Twitter timeline? How about posting your latest food creation on Instagram? Did they add a new TV series to Netflix? A new book by my favorite author? Two chocolate chip cookies left? Is reading this blog actually a distraction for you?

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13) ESV

On a beautiful day, after a long winter, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking time out of your busy day to enjoy a walk, or meet a friend for coffee, or change up your routine. But don’t let distractions become your norm. By staying focused on the important people and tasks in your life, you’ll have more time for those beneficial distractions later on.

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
(Proverbs 4:25-27) ESV