I am a very social person, and I love interpersonal relationships. As my children grew older, we would talk about their friendships. I was very willing to listen to their ups and downs concerning their friends.  I loved it because it was a bonding experience with my children.  However, on the other hand, it was very distracting, and I had concerns about the time I spent thinking about them.

This is an example of one of many topics that occupy my mind space when I could or should be thinking or doing something else.   Like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, I get distracted by many things.  

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

From the journal . . . . September 2000

I had been talking to the Lord about some relational things that were going on with my children.  I was very preoccupied. Then I went on to write about the plans of the day.

Mark and I plan to go to the fair today. Lord, please be with us. I love You. Help me to be a good example of You and a light that points to You.

And I Believe God Said:

Keep walking with Me.  Remember that I love you and I am your strength.  I am your source for anything and everything you need.  Emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual.

Phil.4:19 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 2:Peter 1:3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

Then He said. . .

I’m not mad at you.

The Lord knows our thoughts and feelings before we even recognize or admit to them.  I don’t have to say it or journal it because He already knows!

Psalm 139:3-4 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all.

 Lord, are you disappointed in me?  I do a lot of spinning my wheels and I feel ineffective.

Keep walking in faith.  Remember the illusions in Star Trek. 

In the series Star Trek, there was an episode where aliens could make things appear to be different than reality. The crew of the Enterprise was blasting through some sort of retaining structure and it looked like their weapons were not making any progress, but that was just an illusion. In truth the thing had been destroyed. They just couldn’t see it.

I was feeling ineffective, and I thought it might be because my mind was all over the place.

Satan wants you to be discouraged.  Walk daily and look around for Me. Acknowledge Me in all your ways.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. NASB

And I Believe the Lord brought this church song to my mind!

Every move I make I make in You, You make me move Jesus.

Every breath I take I breathe in You.

Every step I take I take in You.   You are my way Jesus.

Every breath I take I take in You.

Waves of mercy waves of grace.

Everywhere I look I see Your face.

Your love had captured me

Oh my God this love .

What can it be?

And I Believe the Lord Said:

Let that be you.  This is where I want you!

I really want to do everything in that song. There are always distractions, but the Lord continues to redirect me back to Him. Of course praying about our concerns keeps our hearts directed to Him. Singing about and praising the Lord also help! Maybe that’s part of why He tells us to pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks!! 

1Thes 5:16-18   Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.