You know the rules and the laws on driving while distracted. Hands free cell phone devices, watch the road.. etc. etc.
But, what about listening while distracted?
The sermon in church focused on this last week, and honestly, 8 days later it is still on my mind. A personal challenge to me is to stop listening while distracted.
This is not an easy task. There are precious few people brave enough to venture inside my mind. It is quite a mess. Once you sort through all the noise, its hard to find focus.
The list of thoughts on any given day could include, but are not limited to…
What appointment to we have today? How many? What will the wait time be? When is the next one?
Will we get bad news, or just a 6 month return ticket?
How is Meghan feeling, what is her pain like?
Why does she hurt so badly, and how come no one can figure it out?
Will she feel well enough to participate in her after school activity?
How do we balance school with life? How do we get all the homework and projects done amidst her chronic health issues?
What about her IEP?
Do we keep the para next year? Do I need an advocate to help me? Have any of these people got any CLUE about Cowden’s?
What about the bills? I know we CAN pay them, but there are quite a few. How many phone calls do I need to make to be sure that they are all done right? When will I make the phone calls?
How much will the heat cost this cycle?
Will we need a new roof this year?
Did I update the EZPass account fo the new car after the accident?
What groceries do we need and WHEN do I have to go?
How are Grandma and Pop? Really?
Will the article for Rare Disease Day represent us? What about the ribbons? Will they be distributed properly? Will the kids – and adults benefit from it? What if Meghan has to speak at her school? Will she know what to say?
Why is there so much homeowork all the time?
How am I going to finish this math series with her while studying for Social Studies?
Does any of that TRULY matter for 6th grade, or will they just realize I have a pretty smart kid?
When is the FUN supposed to start?
…. AND I COULD GO ON AND ON AND ON AND ON…
So, with that many thoughts running through my head (and sometimes more,) how can I ever be an active listener to ANYONE?
Meghan and I are best buddies. She is a great kid. But we do butt heads sometimes.
I have to wonder if its because inside that 75 pound 4 foot 10 body, she also is listening while distracted.
Tonight we will stop.
We will focus.
We will look at each other.
We will listen carefully.
Maybe we will actually hear each other if we eliminate some distractions.
Her father is very good at clearing his mind – eliminating distractions. Meghan and I – not so much.
But how can I hear what anyone is saying if I don’t LISTEN?
I see it all the time in this technology age. Parents on cell phones, ignoring their kids. Kids pleading for attention, and to be heard.
I am no better if I let the distractions of my mind get in the way of my conversations with my family.
When I ask God to listen, He does. When I listen carefully, He speaks. This I know.
Life is way too short to miss out on what is right in front of me.
I am working on clearing my head and avoiding “Listening while distracted.”
beatingcowdens 