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Keeping Focus October 2010 |
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by Lori Coeman 
I received an email reminder from a local homeschool support group about a regularly scheduled “Time Out for Mom” at an area coffeeshop. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the modified definition of a time-out (compliments of Debbie Rossi and the L.I.F.E Support Group):
A time-out involves temporarily separating a mother from an environment where she has become exhausted, exasperated, and feels she has exceeded her limits of sanity. The purpose of time-out is to separate an over-excited, wound up, and frustrated mother for a short period of time in order to allow her to calm down, in order to discourage inappropriate parental behavior. When the mother calms down, she is able to express her needs in a more polite manner amongst her peers and receive acceptance, encouragement, and prayer so that she is able to return to her family refreshed and inspired to be the unique mother she has been called to be for her family. It reminded me of the other night, when I was surfing the television channels looking for something to watch to unwind. I had unpacked from a trip, put in a load of laundry, and did not feel like doing anything else that required energy exertion or thought. Despite having over 200 channels, I found nothing worth watching, even in “vege” mode. Granted, I can be pretty picky when it comes to viewing options, but still. All those options yet so few options. I remember reading in a book on prayer about the importance of finding your still point - the ability to quiet yourself no matter where you are and center yourself on God. The author made the point that one way to develop that still point, to re-collect the mind easily in time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. He called this practicing the presence of God. As I flipped through the channels, the thought struck me how much of what is available to us is in direct opposition to that. It wasn't that the shows were necessarily bad (although many were), but they focused on chaos, disharmony, put-downs, sarcasm, the problems in the world…you get the picture. How far our culture has wandered from even the good and decent elements of life, let alone the goodness of God! The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8 to focus on “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I think much of what we are exposed to in daily life makes it more difficult to center ourselves in prayer when we do go before God. Or to quiet ourselves after an intense day. Brain research shows how much our thoughts affect our emotions. By changing our thoughts, we can change our emotions. I think that is the point of the passage in Philippians. So I leave you with this thought today: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14) © Andy Dean - Fotolia.com 541 words To view more 'Keeping Focus' Articles please 'Log In' and visit the 'Achives' page. |
