I sat down at our dining room table to write the message I’m giving at a local church on Sunday.
I don’t remember what, but something caught my eye outside. It might have been my flowering pots that were starting to show the effects from missing a drink of water that day, or the three adorable, few-week-old kittens frolicking around our patio furniture. Or it might have been that it was a lovely day, and the sun beckoned my presence.
Whatever it was, my body followed the lure my eyes caught a glimpse of.
Twenty-or-so minutes later, I somehow found myself yanking weeds that were attempting to overtake my flower beds.
Wait. How did I get here?? Just a few minutes ago I was sitting in front of my laptop, ready to write my message. And now I’m knee-deep in my flower bed pulling weeds??
Chuckling at myself, I realized I did it again. I allowed myself to become distracted. It happens way too often.
I set aside the important, to dabble in the optional.
And I find myself way off-track. All because of distractions.
Distractions aren’t always necessarily bad, but when they pull us off course from something we know is best, they can be detrimental. Sure, my flower beds needed weeding. There was nothing wrong with tackling them. The problem was in the timing. I needed to be writing my message, not pulling weeds. Pulling weeds was optional. Writing my message was not.
Life is full of distractions, isn’t it?
You decide to go to bed early. But on your way there, you remember the wet clothes in the washer. You move them to the dryer, and see the basket of towels waiting to be folded. You fold them, and put them in the linen closet. But the closet’s a mess, and you straighten it up. You realize 30 minutes have passed. So much for going to bed early.
You sit down with your Bible, to study and pray. You get a text from a friend, inviting you to lunch. That leads you to search new restaurants on your phone, which takes you to a menu. You’re reminded of the spaghetti you are making for dinner, and you still need to thaw the hamburger. You rise from your chair, move the meat from the freezer to the fridge, and realize you haven’t had breakfast yet. You pour yourself a bowl of cereal and begin eating. So much for studying and praying.
I know, because I’ve lived these.
If we’re not careful, we can allow these seemingly small distractions to pull us so far off the path God has set before us, that we end up in a place we were never meant to be. Or doing something we were never meant to do.
Two scriptures come to mind:
Be careful to do just as the Lord your God has told you. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32
I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there; I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you. Psalm 32:8
Friend, take a hard look. Is there something distracting you? What is causing you to set aside the important, to dabble in the optional? Is there something taking you from God’s best for your life? Have you turned to the right or to the left?
And found yourself knee-deep in weeds?
It’s easy to do, and if you have, you’re not alone. It’s a good day to be aware of the distractions of life, to bid them farewell, and move forward on your journey with God as He leads you.
Let’s do this together. Tomorrow will talk about this further, and what we can do to avoid life’s distractions.
Blessings to you,
Julie
Linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory and Holley Gerth for Coffee For Your Heart.
I was knee deep in the weeds this week, too. I was in my bible reading, and noticed, not so much the weeds, the the waning flowers that needed to be trimmed back. I didn’t have a presentation to plan – I look on these moments sometimes as God giving me a hands-on lesson:) However, I do often lose focus, like going to be and remembering to put the laundry in. I realize I do need to sharpen my focus on him:)
God is good at giving us hands-on lessons… and timely! I’m praying for us all in this matter. I appreciate you stopping over and sharing. God bless you, friend!
Julie,
So much about our lives is distracting and serves to pull us away from fixing our eyes on God! So many things attract my attention when I’m trying to pray or study scripture that it’s a real test of willpower to ignore my urge to sweep the courtyard or fill the dishwasher — I’m with you on all that! I can’t wait to hear more about your advice for avoiding distractions — that’s what I could really put to good use! 🙂
Thank you, Valerie. Sounds like we’re working through this together. Yes, those distractions pull us away from fixing our eyes on God, and from receiving God’s best for us. Praying we allow Him to keep our focus and attention. Bless you for stopping over. Thanks for sharing!
It is so easy to be distracted. I love the image of being knee deep in weeds though because it reminds me of what I often can let distract me. The image of the weeds reminds me too of the Parable of the wheat and the weeds. I may have to go back and read that parable again tonight. Sending Holy Spirit vibes your way so you can finish your message for church on Sunday. I know how hard writing a message can be. Sending prayers up for you and your message this coming weekend as well.
Oh, sweet friend, thank you. I felt the prayers. The message went great, and I was filled with such joy as I spoke. Thank you! I appreciate your words here about the parable of the wheat and the weeds. I need to go back and read that again. Did you do that?? That is so appropriate… I didn’t even think of it. May God bless you, and may we keep out of the weeds when we’re called to be somewhere else! 🙂
This is kind of different, but I find myself getting distracted from resting. Too many things need to be done around the house at any given time and it is hard to set those aside as a mom.
I can relate, Sarah. I pray you’re taking time to rest, however, no matter how difficult it may be to find time to do so. Praying your week is rest-filled! Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate you!