Distracted

No more appropriate word to describe this day.

Distracted. Distracted by the lure of extra sleep, the myriad of new blemishes on my skin that continue to be noticed every time I visit a restroom or pass a mirror, the various ideas that roll around in my brain about ways to do things better. Distracted by my Mother's surgery, the overflowing hampers in the laundry room, the mound of unfinished business on my desk at work, the annoying noise that keeps getting louder every time the minivan is driven. Distracted by the overwhelming schedule of baseball practices and games, school concerts and awards ceremonies, field trips, and church events that is coming at me like a freight train barreling down the mountainside - there is no way to run fast enough to avoid it.

From the early morning until now, there has been very little ability in me to focus on any one thing for any length of time - a fact that leaves me quite frustrated.

Yet surprisingly, none of these distractions bring anger or strife - they just fill the mind full to capacity and leave little room for anything else. No extra space to be thankful, to take notice. No breathing room, no margin in which to realize God's handiwork, to recognize His blessings.

He whispers ever so softly..."Be still..."

A message spoken to this heart far too often for far too long. Be still.

Challenging truth for this multi-tasking, adding-more-to-the-calendar-every-day-as-my-children-grow, juggling-greater-responsibility-with-a-new-part-time-job-in-the-ministry, desiring-ongoing-connection-with-the-precious-people-in-my-life Mom.

The 'being still' is a facet of life that continues to escape me, especially at home and at work. In sweet moments of worship, in the 'getting away' for trips and conferences, those times seem so perfect for the quiet moments of reconnection, refocus, renewal.

Yet here, in the day-to-day, distraction kicks in before feet hit the floor. How can the heart give thanks when the mind is so busy?

Pressing on. And praying for strength to find the stillness before I am found by the busyness. There's always tomorrow.

201. Postage meter errors that allow greater preparation time for important events.

202. Not being alone in my distractedness today.

203. Beautiful blooms of white that envelop the entryway where I work - the hands that planted those gorgeous trees must have known how those blossoms would encourage all who pass below.

204. Remembering to order dinner to celebrate with a fantastic and amazing Children's Ministry Team.

205. A successful surgery to repair my Mother's bulging discs - please join me in praying for complete relief from pain and a speedy recovery.