Our Stories Unleashed

Give Distractions the Boot

I love my mom. Even more than that, I value every moment I have with her. I cherish these moments because I am very aware that I don’t have many left. At 92, she has begun to fall more often, to refuse to eat vegetables, to sing at the top of her lungs a combination of hymns, prayers and gibberish. I cannot get enough of it. She makes me smile, she brings joy, and she gives the best hugs. When I am with her, I want every moment filled up with giving her my undivided attention.  

When I spend the day in Whitney, there are times I get distracted. Sometimes it is a necessary responsibility (doing dishes). Once completed, it is so easy for me to walk away and engage with my mom again. Yet sometimes the distraction is a mindless activity that benefits no one. These I get started, thinking I will just do them for a minute, and then 15 minutes later, I find that a chunk of time has been lost. I regret it.... and yet I am tempted to reengage in that distraction again and again.  

Reading through the Song of Songs, God is working to help me capture the essential moments that He gives me. Many Jewish rabbis consider the Song of Songs to be a love story between God and His people. God reminds His people of his love for them. The people speak of God’s faithfulness and their desire for his presence. Yet the writer of the book also provides warning to the people. Early on, God tells his people to “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, and our vineyards that are in bloom.” (Song of Songs 2:15) 

Little foxes are cute, and they look harmless. As people who walk in Christ, we must heed this warning to capture and be rid of the little distractions and enticements that draw us away from our first love (Christ), priority relationships (usually closest family & friends), and Christian transformation.  

The book of James 1:14-15 expands the concept of “little foxes” helping us understand the rampant growth of temptation left unchecked. “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” 

I contend that distractions often minimize the impact of Christ in us and through us. So how do we identify our distractions and make positive steps forward? To provide a blanket list of what is good or bad starts us on the wrong foot. We must first look to Christ and then allow Him to help us see ourselves and the “little foxes” that we are allowing to ruin the healthy spiritual garden God would have us growing in. Time spent reading His word; time spent listening in prayer; time spent journaling for God’s revelation; time spent with the “great cloud of witnesses” to whom God has provided us with access. Set an alarm on your phone at different points in the day to simply “check-in” with God.  

I urge you, I contend with you, be in the constant practice of searching out distractions and giving them the boot. God is rich in love and mercy, and you can trust Him. Give him the best, freshest part of your day. Check in with Him often. Chat with Him before you drift off to sleep.  Be with Him and allow yourself to be enraptured by our heavenly Father, dwelling in the love He pours out (John 3:16). Make the most of your time, your conversations, your love. If you do, the cute little foxes will never destroy the garden of faith God is cultivating around you. And you will live without distraction and without regret. - Caroline Poe, Minister of Discipleship and Pastoral Care