Distraction

We live in an apartment, so we have to actually walk our dogs so they can...well...do their business if-you-catch-my-drift. I grew up just opening the back door to let my dog out, but we do not currently have that luxury. Dogs are naturally outdoor animals of course, and they naturally love to run and play when outside. However for our dogs, time outside is for a very specific purpose, and it's not playtime. A few days ago, I could not get Virginia to focus on the task at hand to save my life. She was distracted by the birds in the trees, other dogs walking by, the sound of a neighbor's wind chime, a plastic bag drifting across the sidewalk, a leaf falling off a tree- everything around her was drawing her attention away from what she was supposed to be doing. Needless to say, I was frustrated.

I get distracted by the noise all around me and lose focus on my task at hand too. God has called me to make my relationship with Him my first priority. Yet, I spend so much more time entertaining myself and filling my mind with other things. I end up spending all my time on other things and have no time left for the most important thing in my life. God has also called me to share His love with people who don't yet know about it. I get distracted from this very important calling by wanting to do the easier thing like spend time with Christian friends, or just stay at home and not put forth the effort to get to know people and serve them. I often trade intentionality about investing in God's kingdom for laziness.

Virginia finally got around to doing what she needed to, but not without the help of my frequent prodding. My prayer is that God, in His divine patience, will not give up prodding me towards the most important things when I get distracted by the easy and entertaining.