The Enemy of Distraction
Mustard Seed Chronicles: Story Time with LU Grandma
Ah, a new year and new resolutions to do better in some things in our lives. What better thing to be able to change than actually taking time out from “life” for time with our Lord?
I often start the day with a list of activities that prepare for the whole day, which can bring an awful lot of distractions to the morning. I would love nothing better than to be able to sit down at my kitchen table, open my Bible, have my time with the Lord in prayer before I ever start the day. However, the moment that I go into the kitchen I remember that I have to empty the dishwasher, feed the cat, feed the birds outside, get something out of the freezer for dinner, and heaps more. Parents, you know what heaps more looks like for you. I get my phone to read the devotional plan I have chosen on prayer and Oh, I have to check the weather. Oh, there are notifications on Facebook… the list goes on and on and on, and none of this is urgent. But…well, you probably know the feeling, too.
I have heard Larnelle Harris’s song, “I Miss My Time With You” and that runs in my head.
In the warmer weather of this past summer and fall, I would go out on my back porch to be in the quiet of the morning with nature. That way I felt closer to the Lord and could just look up into the sky and talk to Him. Nobody was out there but me, so I wasn’t going to bother anyone even if I played or sang worship music.
But now that the colder weather is here, I must stay in my home with all the distractions. I go into my bedroom and try there, then I see the laundry or the dusting or something else in there that needs to be done and I feel like Martha. I really, really want to be more like Mary.
I remember when I was watching the movie, “War Room,” Priscilla Shirer had to find a place where she could be alone and pray. She cleaned out a closet and shut the door so there was nothing in there to distract. Unfortunately, in the house where I live there is no place like that.
I even thought of the possibility of creating a cardboard outline as they have in all the stadiums now because of COVID. My cutout would be of Jesus sitting Him in a chair at the table. I don’t know what Jesus looks like, so I wouldn’t try to paint his face; I’d just write Jesus on the face. That really isn’t the solution.
How can I get rid of my distractions? For me, it helps if I feed the cat at night, wait until it gets light to feed the birds, make a menu for the week, and get the things I need out of the freezer or cupboard the night before to station them on the counter; get what I need for work ready the night before, have the coffee timer set, and set breakfast goodies on the table for the morning. I write a list of the “do not forget to.” My phone is plugged in to charge and the Do Not Disturb is on. I refuse to get it until I have spent time with Him in prayer and my Bible (actual book) reading.
So, how can we all get rid of our distractions? It must happen in our minds! We must make a concerted effort to clear our minds of all distractions. Maybe you can play Larnelle Harris’s song, “I Miss My Time with You” when you arise for the day. Maybe you must go through your whole day to do your things and then have your time with the Lord. Now more than ever, our time with the Lord is the most important thing we do in our day. We cannot allow our enemy to keep getting the upper hand.
Prayer:
Help us to see ourselves in Your throne room, Father and Savior. May Your Holy Spirit clear all the world out for a while so we can ready ourselves for what You have planned for us that day. The closer we are to You, the better our day will be, and the better person we will be with those around us.
Meet the Author
Timi Plyter
“LU Grandma”
Lead Parent Advocate
