Out of Focus

Life has been crazier than usual the last few months. I thrive on a full schedule and actually find myself more productive when I have a full plate of responsibilities. I like having to plan out in advance how to get everything accomplished. However the last few weeks have been a bit too much even for me. In addition to "regular" life tasks, I have taken on two additional projects at work, started attending a summer Bible study, taken two out of town trips, jogged in my first "race", helped my oldest son with financial and logistical details on moving out of state to go to school in two months, had stepdaughter and future son-in-law up to visit for the weekend, as well as planning and scheduling a variety of other summer events and activities. It seemed like the speed on the treadmill of life got turned up from 5.0 (where I am pretty comfortable) to a 7.0, and it has left me a bit breathless and tired.

I found myself getting progressively more depleted and wasn't even looking forward to seeing my stepdaughter - whom I really enjoy - because all I could think of was the cleaning, re-arranging of bedrooms, grocery shopping and cooking that needed to be done. I found myself so consumed with what "had to be done" each day that everything in my life was just a bit out of focus ("Just missing the focal point on a little bit of everything").

During a moment of pause during prayer time at Bible study I had some divinely inspired clarity. As my stress level had risen I realized that I had moved aside some things that were pretty important:

1. Time with God: two minutes of devotional reading and a distracted prayer while eating toast does not really focus you for the day.
2. Exercise: the running shoes sat in the back of the closet and the dogs were staring longingly at their unused leashes.
3. Healthy foods: traveling stresses all my good eating intentions and I seem to think that the calories in the big bag of licorice don't count if I eat them at 30,000 feet.

Human nature is so contrary - we should WANT to do these things that make us feel good in our body and soul, but I tend to be stubborn and often want the easy way out (TV, Facebook and cookies sometimes seems like a lot less work than scripture, jogging and green leafy vegetables). Also, once I get out of my routine - even for a few days - it is hard to resume.

However, last week, after my moment of pause at Bible study, I realized how out of focus life was becoming and made the conscious choice to put these three elements back into my life. While there have still been TV, Facebook and cookie moments, I have also spent time listening for God's direction, made lots of healthy smoothies and gotten the running shoes out of the closet.

Even though the pace of life will not be slowing down anytime soon, I see that these nourishing practices bring me encouragement and peace and allow me to experience life "in focus."

Prayer for the Broken Hearted and Wounded

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Heavenly Father, my [son/daughter/friend/loved one] has endured some pretty difficult experiences and picked up some hurts that no [one] should have to carry. In the midst of her pain, she has lost perspective of Your involvement in her life. I don't want her to be brokenhearted and wounded. Would you heal her hurts and restore her to health so she may be whole again? My prayer is that she would not be controlled by the damage in her life, but by the Holy Spirit, who can sustain her through any situation. Amen.

(Mark Gregston, Prayers For My Teen)

Parenting Quotes

I am having a serious case of writers block and am utterly distracted by the issues surrounding my children. It begins with concern and sadness over daughters relationship issues, anxiety over first sons possible relocation to school in Minnesota, and ends with trying to guide - but not take over - youngest sons aspirations to play college football. I have been staring at this empty page for about 2 hours now so instead of blogging I thought I would try to inspire myself (and maybe others) with some parenting quotes.

Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves.
Marcelene Cox

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.
Anne Frank

Children keep us in check. Their laughter prevents our hearts from hardening. Their dreams ensure we never lose our drive to make ours a better world. They are the greatest disciplinarians known to mankind.
Queen Rania of Jordan

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
Abigail Van Buren

When correcting a child, the goal is to apply light, not heat.
Woodrow Wilson

The rules for parents are but three... love, limit, and let them be.
Elaine M. Ward

Nobody's family can hang out the sign: Nothing the matter here.
Chinese Proverb