(This post had actually been posted for a few hours a couple of weeks ago. I was in the middle of changing blog hosts and the post was lost. I recovered it and am posting it today.)
We had been sitting in the school room for an hour. I’m certain that nothing was completed during those sixty minutes. Though seated on opposite sides of the room, they managed to distract one another. They giggled and made jokes. My oldest half stood at his seat and my youngest climbed on the furniture.
I was quite frustrated, to say the least. Their distractibility had made it impossible for any learning to take place.
It made me think about how often I am distracted from what God is teaching me. I get involved in projects and responsibilities that keep me from Him. I get pulled away by the lures of the world. In fact, I may be just as distracted as my children, if not more.
My heart finds many things to put in first place, instead of God. When I have a goal or project in mind, it consumes me to the point of neglecting God. My free time is used up in frivolous pursuits rather than in quiet communion with Him. I day-dream in front of the computer, searching for things that will not last.
Again and again He reminds me and calls me back to the path He’s laid for me. He continues to give me grace no matter how many times I wander.
I remind myself of this as I ask my oldest, yet again, to be seated. I sit right next to him and direct his attention to the work in front of him. I breathe in deep of the grace given to me and breathe out patience to these little ones who so often mirror my own heart and soul.
How does parenting reveal sin in your own heart?
I agree - I’m much the same. I have so many thoughts/ideas/plans swirling inside my head that I often find myself walking into a room (or the pantry!) and completely forget why I walked into it! Overload, for sure. I want to be like my son when he’s coloring - he is focused and calm. He rarely looks up as he studies the drawing. I want to be like that with the Lord! Glad you rediscovered this once lost post!
Me too! I hate how distraced I get. I’m so thankful for His love that forgives and strengthens. Blessings to you and your sweet kids!
I’ve been trying to comment, but it hasn’t posted. Maybe this will. I’m glad to see someone else has kids who are distracted and distracting.
I often think God wants me to homeschool, not so the kids will learn, but so that I will.
I can so relate to this. I know that I am probably more distracted than my kids are, they just can’t hide it as well. It’s crazy how they mirror to us our relationship with our Father. Thankful for his tenderness as our Abba!
Oh, yes. distractions!
loved that you were able to retrieve this post…
I never in my wildest dreams imagined parenting to be such a soul-seeking journey as it has turned out to be. How do people do it with the Heavenly Father’s help? I will never know…
So blessed by you. thank you!
I’m following you by email now. Thanks for your faithfulness.