What Distracts
“What constantly distracts us will eventually define us.” This observation by Bob Goff was recently posted on social media. It made me pause. I read it again. “What constantly distracts us will eventually define us.”. I paused yet again. Then reading it one more time, I changed it up slightly: “What constantly distracts me will eventually define me.”
That stuck.
That hung in head.
That hit home.
In September of this year I had an opportunity to participate in a girls sleepover party. Not in just any sleepover but one roughly 1,100 miles away at the invitation of my great niece.
My great niece lives in Minnesota. Ten years ago she became one of the 1 in the 100 babies born with a heart defect. Nine years ago she received her precious donated “angel heart”. She is an active beautiful 10 year old but the pandemic has been especially challenging for her and her family. From the day she was born they have all needed to be extra careful to keep her from catching any “bugs”. Her immunity is compromised and her defenses are limited. A simple cold could result in a hospital visit. The pandemic has meant the her “bubble” had become even tighter.
For her 10th birthday, her wish list included a girls sleepover party at her Grandma’s house and she wanted me to attend. How could I not? I booked my flight and my sister, her grandmother, began planning.
For one of her party gifts I wanted her to have something that would be ongoing. Some thing that the three of us could share. I strolled around a local bookstore to see what I could find. Something finally caught my eye. A beautiful pink sparkling book. I read the title: “Jesus Calling – 365 Devotions for Kids”. Perfect! I ordered three copies thinking we’d each read it knowing the other would be reading it that same day.
My great niece had a different idea after the party. She did not want to read on her own but instead suggested we video chat to read together each day. And that is what we have done. It’s been a delightful 15 minutes each day.
Today’s reading entitled “Cheering You On” encouraged us to not be discourage when our mind wanders. We read that instead we are to realize our mind has wandered and then intentionally bring our thoughts back to Him, Jesus.
“What constantly distracts us will eventually define us.”
What we are to be thinking about is clearly laid out in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
”What districts you?
What distracts me?
God knows that you and I are at our best when we focus our thoughts on Him and Him alone or otherwise our distractions will define us.
Good insight for a child? Yes.
Good insight for all of us? Absolutely.
JW