5 | Be Present

"Be Present" feels like a trending mantra.  At our house, we say it to the kids when they've reached their time limit on their digital devices.  Our kids say it to us when we are plugged in and tuned out.  All around the Internet I'm running into reminders to be mindful.  Engaged.  Thoughtful and attentive in relation to others.  

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It's a common message in Jesus' teachings and his example as well.  He was so aware that he felt a woman touch his robe in hope of healing.  He was so attentive he noticed Zaccheus up in the tree and invited him down.  He was utterly engaged in his ministry, and he wanted the same for his friends.  

When Martha was physically, mentally, and emotionally distracted by her priorities, Jesus brought her back to the moment.

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:41-42

He basically told her to shed the "shoulds" and take the earthly burdens off her shoulders.  Lighten the load and see the Light.  Be present.  Receive the gift of his presence.

"Christ in the House of Mary and Martha" by Vermeer

Of course, this is easier said than done, this being present challenge.  We increasingly live in a world where we are bombarded with information, ideas, and interruptions.  Our brains are trained to jump from one thing to another like puffy little tutu-ed poodles jumping through hoops and running in circles.  This morning, let's send those poodles out in the yard to play, while we set our hearts and minds on Jesus.

Capture & Clear Away the Mental Clutter

Before we even start a little quiet time, take a minute to list the things that are on your mind.  We can capture the "To Do" items and the worries on a physical or digital list, know that they are noted, and clear more bandwidth for truly centering on our Lord.  If other things pop up in your head during your quiet time, just add them to the list and refocus your attention.

Center the Soul

When I jump into quiet time without deliberately shifting my gears, I run into trouble.  I end up approaching Bible reading and prayer the same way I approach my other daily tasks: with a "Get 'er done!" attitude and energy.  So I have to get centered on Christ with a little prayer, borrowed from Isaiah 6:8.

"Here I am, Lord."

Here I am.  I have heard you call me into a moment of stillness with you.  And I gratefully, hungrily accept your invitation. Help me to quiet my mind, my body, my heart and my soul.  Help me to fully rest and rejuvenate in your love and grace.  Here I am, open to your word and your will for this day and every day.

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Catalog this Moment of Creation

You might read the Bible.  Or pray.  Or simply be aware of all that you have in this moment.  

For me, this morning, it's relishing the quiet, pre-dawn house, warm and comfortable and waiting a new day of our family's love and laughter.  It the whirring of this old laptop computer that is on its last legs but mercifully won't quit.  (Hang in there, sweet MacBook, until the budget allows for an upgrade!)  It's the pile of Cub Scout badges waiting to be sewn onto my son's new uniform, the dedication and enthusiasm he pours into this challenge and responsibility.  It's the aromatic reminder of my daughter's chocolate protein shake, last traces etched along the inside of the glass, along with her self-sufficiency in blending a semi-nutritious snack and cleaning up the kitchen afterwards!  It's the distant rumble of my husband's snoring as he sleeps in after a hard week's work and bouts of insomnia.  All these pieces of God's peace are a blessing I want to savor and praise.  

Thank you, Lord, for this exact moment.  Thank you for this gift of seeing things, not as tasks to be done, but as mementos of your gifts.  Thank you for this moment of being present in your peace.  Amen.

Need more reminders to be present with God and not overwhelmed by the daily doings?

I love these monthly calendars with vibrant Bible verses.

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And these messages...

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And isn't this peaceful corner an invitation to be present?

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Frame & Focus

One of my "when I grow up" day dreams is to be a fabulously artsy photographer.  You know the kind: her every snapshot is elegantly composed, beautifully lit, suffused with story.  In this Instagram, camera-phone-at-the-ready, my delusions are all the more dangerous.
 
So here I am, with a kabillion (truly, I counted) lame pictures, cluttering up the digital cloud. 

But every once in a magic moment, I manage to frame the scene and focus on the subject and capture the moment's beauty.  I cannot credit skill or an artistic eye or educated experience... It is simply persistence that pays off.  How I love that digital photography makes persistence — snapping hundreds and kabillions of photos — possible.

What can I say?  I like to frame, to focus, to train my eye and brain to capture things as I hope to always see them.

Which is why I love January: a lovely month for framing our lives and focusing our minds' eyes on capturing our best selves.  

For me, January is not about resolutions (self control is the most elusive fruit of the Spirit for this gal); it is about focusing my sights, my soul, on one word.  Last year my anchor word, my guiding principal, was "light."  This year, after many prayers, I am framing my decisions and focusing my vision on the "present."

I want to live in the present moment, to be truly present and engaged with my Mister and my kids, my family and friends — conscientiously unplugging from life-sucking electronic, household, and ego-centric distractions and consciously plugging into life-giving relationships.

I want to be mindful of and grateful for God's presents: the gift of Jesus and his love, grace, and salvation; the gifts of the Spirit (may self-control be ever more prevalent); the gifts and talents has has bestowed on me (and may I employ them for his glory); the gifts he blesses me with every day (family, friends, home, church, chocolate and wine — okay, maybe not EVERY day).

I want to fill myself up with God's presence.  (Okay, I know what you're thinking: that's not technically the same word.  I'm exercising a poetic license loophole.)  More time in his word (see my anal 2013 Bible Reading Plan), more time in prayer, more time in devotional reading and writing.  More time to be still, to rest in the peace of knowing God. 

I want to pour out God's presence, to tune in to God and hear clearly how he wants to work through me in my little corner of the world.  How can I serve him and those in need?  How can I be God's hands and feet; how can I share his word?  How can I be the humble jar of clay pouring out his rejuvenating Spirit? 

This is how I hope to frame my days and my year.  This is how I want to focus my thoughts and decisions.  I know there will be days when I forget to be present, in his presence, enjoying his presents.  I will clutter the spiritual album of 2013 with lame attempts and imperfect images.  But I know that God will help me to persist.  When I forget and fall short, he will remind me with a word, he will focus my blurred vision and frame my perspective with his forgiveness and grace and love.  He will use this simple anchor word to help me be my best, to glorify the best in him.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

I pray God helps you to find your focus to frame this bright-shiny-new year.  May it be so very full of his presence and his presents for you.