A MILE A MINUTE

Kids surely talk and run a mile a minute. 

Or at least mine do… 

Like I mentioned at the start of this devotional series “Truth Seeking Right Here Right Now, I taught my kids some figurative language last summer like the word hyperbole. This was because they keep saying things like…

”I am starving!” or

“This is taking forever!”

I figured in the midst of their exaggeration, and often complaining, I would teach a word or two too. (Maybe it’s the ELA teacher in me or maybe it was the excitement that fills their eyes when they learn a word so interesting and different like hyperbole. Or, maybe I just love words too much to not share them with my kids.

Regardless of the reasons… there is this true reality: my kids sure do talk A LOT. 

It doesn’t matter where we are, there is always one of my children rambling on about something. And while there are many times I find those inquisitive “rambles” adorable and so beautiful to listen to and watch, sometimes the busyness of the day gets to me. #momlife

Let’s take for instance, picking my son up from school…

It is usually after a day of work for me with my mind running elsewhere. Thinking about school related tasks, book edits, what’s for dinner, the sports agenda for the afternoon, when I should pick up my daughter, etc, I walk or drive to get him and am immediately bombarded with… can you guess? 

Lots and lots and lots of talking which is great, but hear me out…

When I simply ask, ``How was your day?” I typically think that I will get a response about the work he did, lessons learned or what went down on the playground. However, that’s usually NOT the case. 

Instead, he typically starts telling me all about video games, using terms I do not know or quizzing me about dinosaurs, I know nothing about. It is in those moments I feel like my brain cannot take one more piece of information and now I’m getting a book. 

Yet, those are the moments I need to get myself in check instead of checking out despite my brain’s difficulty with focusing when on overload.

It is in those moments when my son or daughter comes right to my face and asks me why I am on my phone or if I hear them that I am reminded of so much more than that too.

We are not promised tomorrow so what are we doing with our today?

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (‭‭James‬ ‭4:14‬)

If my kids are seeking my attention and I ignore them, where will they look to seek attention from? 

I mean my son has tried to have many conversations with Alexa lately including when he asked her to list all dinosaurs that EVER existed. That was “fun” to hear while battling a tension headache. Still, I digress…

I remember seeking attention.

I remember seeking it in all the wrong places and I do not want that for my kids. I especially think back to that time between the ages of 19 and 23, and the lies I was believing and attention I was seeking. I didn’t just turn up there overnight. It was a process, a process I may not be proud of but one that I have been forgiven of. It is one that now I pray every day to break the cycles of. 

It can be done!

Cycles DO break because everything was defeated at the cross. Thank You Jesus.

Victory came and comes from Christ so we must go to Him FIRST for it ALL.

Then another thing that I truly believe is that the learning starts and cultivates within the home and within those moments that I may not always be ready for. But God is. He must be our foundation, our strength and our wisdom.

“…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬)

I believe most, if not all of us, have gone through times we feel unseen or unheard. Sometimes, I still don’t feel heard or seen. Those times help me put myself in the shoes of others, like my kids. And it is also in those moments, I realize how important it is to fix my focus and to lean in and listen to others so that God’s light and truths can shine through. Because the reality is… 

God loves us. 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬)

He sees us. 

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel‬ ‭16:7‬)

We are already known. 

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” (Psalms‬ ‭139:1‬)

We are called to love, to see the beauty in others and to listen no matter what we wish to be doing. 

Jesus lived that way. 

When I think of moments where I mess up, it is easy to slip into guilt and shame. But that’s not from God. His corrections led us to change and renewal. They lead us to the very beautiful concept and truth that…

Every single second is the chance to start over. 

Don’t sit in shame. God doesn’t want that for us. Instead, let’s ask God to guide us to be where we need to be physically and mentally. Our kids and youth are right there waiting to talk our ear off as share from their little, but HUGE hearts. I want them to always turn to me with excitement and joy as well as with the difficult questions that they are bound to face in this fallen world. 

However, this is not just the case with kids. It is with each other too. There is such value in our time and how we use it.

Therefore, I pray to be present. I pray to learn to hear others as God hears them and see them through His lens too. I pray to love others the way they deserve, through the eyes of Jesus even on my most stressful and busy days.

And as my own little ones seek my attention, I pray that I give that to them, undivided, teaching them the true place to seek all Truth… in the presence of the Lord.

I pray to lean in and let Him guide me right here and right now. 

Dear God,

You are always right there. No matter what, You listen, You forgive, You love. Forgive me today for the times I do not do the same for those You put before me. I pray today that You work in my heart to be present and to listen. I want to help others feel heard and loved. Shine through me Lord. Holy Spirit come. Bring Your guidance and strength. Bring Your patience too. I thank You today and every day that my kids come to me. I pray that our relationship continues to grow and flourish and that they continue to come to us. I pray they come to You first and that they store Your words in their hearts and minds so that Your words speak louder than the worldly lies. I pray today for broken relationships. I pray that hearts soften and relationships are restored. What the enemy meant for harm, You can turn for good. I ask You to do that today. I pray for my sisters and brothers, and whoever is reading this right now. I pray that they may know how much You love them right here and right now, no matter what. Through it all, we can all seek You first. You know our hearts and You love us more than anything we could imagine. We thank You. We love You. We seek You in all moments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.