If you have been in a room with a toddler for eight seconds, you have heard the words, “Watch me!” The toddler, amazed at every single thing he or she can do, is full of invitations.
“Watch me!” as I wiggle my fingers.
“Watch me!” as I pick up a spoon.
“Watch me!” as I attempt a failed but spirited somersault.
“Watch me!”
In exhaustion from all the watching, you turn away. It is a mere second but in that blink of an eye you miss it you. You miss the miraculous moment. Your center of attention shifts and you do not witness the hilarious attempt at gymnastics.
Life with a toddler means missing many of these moments. There is simply too much action to watch it all. With an abundance to do and scroll and text and engage online, we get caught in the world wide web of distraction.
The Holy Spirit is a like a toddler.
“Watch me!” the Spirit beckons, as it burrows about in our lives.
“Watch me!” the Spirit calls, as it points you in a faithful direction.
“Watch me!” the Spirit whispers, enfolding you with Christ’s love.
“Watch me!” the Spirit shouts to the church, while we are busy doing churchy things that have to do with budgets, buildings and volunteer management.
Blessedly, the Holy Spirit remains as persistent as the toddler. If you miss the first somersault, chances are you will see another one if you wait ten seconds. Miracles abound.
However, would you ponder what it is that shifts your attention from the Spirit’s work in your life? What distracts you? How might you pay better attention to your life with God? How might you actually focus when the Spirit bellows out, “Watch me!”
Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash
Lisa Lewton 