The Fight for your Attention

We have an 8-year old boy, Jonah. Love this kid.

If he were a dog he’d be a border collie. Known for their endless supply of energy, border collies live to herd cattle and other animals. On the flip side, these dogs have so much drive, without work they improvise – which usually ends with a large hole in the yard or a pair of shoes re-purposed into a chew toy.

Jonah doesn’t dig holes or chew shoes, but his mind moves as fast as the dog’s. While reading one day, I noticed Jonah making little mistakes. Instead of “on” he said “in” or “of” became “if.” At times the mix-up, though small, changed the entire meaning of a sentence.

I stopped him to point out the problem and explain why it matters. He met my interruption with, “Ugh, Mom! I read it right!” He had no idea of the switch he’d made, and he didn’t care. With the goal of completing the assignment in mind, he bulldozed through the words. Understanding the story mattered not. His eyes locked on the finish line and away he went, with his head hung out the window as if to say, Keep up, people.

We made it through the story, but only after we back-tracked. Book down. Mouth shut. Hands still. Eyes on me.

Now, let’s talk …

To give something your full attention, you must not only quiet your mouth, you must also quiet your mind.

As I spoke those words to my son, I felt God’s finger gently tap my shoulder. “Kate,” He whispered,

Book down. (Or maybe phone down?)

Mouth shut.

Hands still.

Eyes on Me.

Ever been there? By all accounts you appear focused. Calm. Attentive. But on the inside voices scream, and the waves of doubt or demand or distraction crash against the caverns of your mind.

What could be done great, just gets done. What could change your life slips in and out of your soul with little to no impact. The lists, the concerns, and the hurts derail you, and you don’t even have time to notice what you missed.

As parents we looked for ways to help Jonah slow down and offer his best to the task right in front of him. On our mission to make this happen we landed on a lesson for us all.

The motion of your mind connects directly to who or what holds the wheel.

For my son, we realized toys and television disturbed his productivity. When we removed the distractions, it opened up space for him to settle down.

Friend, who holds the wheel in your mind? Is it Jesus? Any substitute will spin you around and around with no rest. No quiet. But Jesus not only offers rest, he promises it, to anyone who comes to him. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Or maybe you’re not weary; maybe you’re busy. Too busy. Planning, preparing, or arranging.

We can make our plans,
    but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

 

Wait just one minute, here. Do you mean to tell me I am not in charge of my steps? God, are you sure you don’t need my help? I have a lot to offer. No shortage of ideas here. I have a plan!

Oh, but who better to make my next move, than the One who sees all, knows all, and directs all. And there it is … space for me to settle down.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

 

And what’s a girl to do with all this extra space?

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Looking for a place to start?

Book down. (Or maybe phone down?)

Mouth shut.

Hands still.

Eyes on Me.

 

What competes for your full attention? How do you quiet the chaos? Leave a comment!