It has been a hot minute (or year +) since I have written a word. Goodness, I am not exactly sure why other than I got busy.

I am working full time now, teaching second grade. Between this and my family with 2 kids swimming every night after school, it does not leave a lot of time. But this, is an excuse.

Many times I think about something that I could write and then forget the idea or just think that no one wants to hear it. Even though I don’t have a vast audience (pretty sure there are 2 people who read this 😉 I don’t want to just put content into the world that doesn’t matter. I don’t want to add to the noise of a world that is already so loud. I want to make someone think or smile or laugh.

So I’m hoping to write more. Not because I want all these people to read my words or because I have really important things to say (I don’t), but because writing is something I enjoy. By nature, I am a very slow processor- I read slowly and really think about words- just ask Adam about heated discussions…I have learned that I need to take some time to gather my thoughts and often, I write them because I can see and process through them better.

We spent 7 nights away, on a beach in the Dominican Republic for spring break. It was the perfect balance of activity and slow. There was actual rest. I didn’t feel tired at the end of our time there- I actually felt rested and I can’t remember the last time that happened! I read 2 books from cover to cover, which is a miracle but also a goal. (As my 2nd graders know, my goal for 2022 is to read one book a month…I failed in Feb but made up for it in March!)

One of the books I read was called “Undistracted.” It is Bob Goff’s newest book. If you known me for any length of time, you know that I love Bob Goff. I mean, how do you not love someone who takes office hours on Tom Sawyer’s Island at Disneyland?! (I am hoping to meet him there one day and talk about loving people well.) When Will emailed him and found out he had a new book coming out a while ago, I got really excited because he just has a way of writing that feels like you’re having a conversation with him and he is an incredible story teller (and has a lot of stories to tell). Basically, I’m saying you should read his book, like start today.

My biggest take away was that I am indeed living distracted. The daily chores and responsibilities have gotten in the way of me truly living my purpose and being intentional. And when I say purpose, I don’t have this grand plan. I believe my purpose is to love God and love people. I mean, Jesus said it so if feels right to me. But when I am distracted, my focus is not on Jesus or the people around me but rather the task or project at hand. So much could be different if I just focused on Jesus all the time. I think if I did, I wouldn’t miss the people around me.

So, I want to live undistracted. I know this will take intention and time and it won’t happen over night but I know it is possible. (Probably not always, I am not perfect and never will be.) Being undistracted, being present, being intentional- those are good things and good goals. So I’m going to do it. I am going to work at doing those things and am going to try to love people better, try to notice them and have words for them that come from Jesus not me. I don’t have enough patience or grace a lot of times- especially for the ones that have hurt me. If Jesus could forgive on the cross, I can forgive as well. I mean, not because I can on my own but because of the power of the Holy Spirit in me.

I don’t think this undistracted life will be easy to live, especially in a world that seems so full of distraction and information, but I do think it will be the best life I can live.