Sunday Stillness – Is Distraction a good thing or bad?

Sunday Stillness – Is Distraction a good thing or bad?

I came away from the writers’ conference in Alberta (read about it here), all fired up to focus. Yes, focus on what God is calling me to do. I have answered the three questions:

Why? Because I feel God is calling me to get as many people as I can into the Word, so He can talk to them about their lives. So my new title is Growing Through God’s Word.

Who? Anyone who desires to listen to God – men and women. And for children, I will write children’s books that will focus on Growing With God. Tadeo Turtle was the beginning.

What? I want to follow God’s Word and speak about what He is saying to me and inspire others to listen to what He is saying to them. And as well as blogging I will venture out into speaking. You can listen to me at Hope Stream Radio. I am scheduled on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can also listen to all my former podcasts on my Hope Stream Radio page. I have joined a Me Too Moments for Moms and am featured as a Mentor.

But then after making my list, thinking it through,  I got distracted with getting ready to go away (we are off to Arizona in three days of the time of posting this) and life in general and emails, social media, connections.

Now I realize that distractions are part of life. I had better embrace them. (tweet this)

I am not in a monastery or cloistered in a small cell – I am living, breathing and acting on everything.

This week started off by finally seeking help with my glasses. I had noticed that while driving I couldn’t see the signs without tilting my head downwards. My optician corrected it with a tilt. Great I could see. But it hurt. So I returned the next day. He adjusted it. Next day, I returned again  – it still hurt. Today, I think it is almost fixed. I am waiting until the end of the day to see if I have to return. That was time taken away – but I figure well spent as I can see clearly now.

I did a few phone calls to set up our return to Arizona. Still, quite a few to do – the dreaded Bell call – I keep putting it off. (for my American readers – that is our Canadian Internet, our phone provider).

But I also went outside and cut back our snowball tree and went for walks.

I read and I rested from jetlag. I connected with many people I met at the conference. I did my blogs.

And I know that all things work together for good – and I continue to do all things. They may feel distracting but they are truly living for God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose  (Romans 8:28, NIV).

Just to prove the point – God showed me again – interrupted to go with my hubby and deliver something special to someone. Praising Him for all distractions that are part of His plan.

This weekend is our Canadian Thanksgiving. Let’s all give thanks in all circumstances. Praising God for always being with us.

Prayer:

Lord, we all live full lives on this earth – sometimes with focus and other times with distractions. Help us to live our lives fully for you in all we do, distractions and all. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Have a blessed Sunday Stillness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also published on Medium.

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18 comments

  1. Pingback: Teaching Your Children to Pray -

  3. I’m excited for you, Janis, to come back from the conference with firm direction for the Lord to know what He desires you to do. And you have an outline of how to accomplish that. That’s great. I look forward to your return to Arizona. Let’s schedule a visit!
    Blessings,
    Janis

    Reply

    1. Janis,
      Oh yes let’s plan a visit for sure. I will email you our phone number. I have a sketchy outline for accomplishing my desires – but knowing that God can change it all.
      Blessings to you,
      Janis

      Reply

  5. I hope you have a great trip to Arizona, Janis, and that you’re able to do all the things that matter to God. That’s my aim each day and some days I manage it better than others, but then there’s God’s grace that picks up the slack! Thanks for the linkup, my friend!

    Reply
  6. Pingback: » Sunday Stillness – Is Distraction a good thing or bad?

  7. Happy Thanksgiving, Janis. I know that feeling of focus-I was supercharged when I came back from the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference in August. Thanks, as usual, for hosting.

    Reply

  9. I think that my friends across the border in Canada have a much more timely placement of Thanksgiving for those of us in “the north” — all our beautiful pumpkins, etc. are covered with snow by November. However, it truly is my favorite holiday, so I will wish you a blessed celebration and express my thankfulness for your words about distraction. I am continually having to trust for grace to weather the interruptions, but God is sovereign.

    Reply

    1. Michele,
      I always wondered why you guys celebrate in November for Thanksgiving. It makes it way too much stress for some people having it that close to Christmas. And we have so much to decorate with. Blessings to you and I relax now in interruptions or distractions as I see them as a hand of God. May God teach us more and more each day.
      Blessings,
      Janis

      Reply

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