The scene is the bathtub, and the players are 3-year-old Lilli, and her 10-month-old brother, Brody. Brody is quite enamored with his big sister, as most babies are with bigger kids, and Lilli can make him laugh like nobody’s business, so it seemed like a bath together would be a recipe for happiness.
And it was…for a while.
After watching Lilli intently for a time, and responding favorably to her antics, Brody caught sight of an interesting toy in the water. It’s intriguing shape beckoned a good and thorough gumming, so he went for it. His sister was not amused, so she amped up her performance, to the point of sloshing water.
No response. Then, taking Brody’s face in her hands, this:
“Focus, Bro! FOCUS!! Sissy’s working here!”
I’m left to consider how many fingerprints of God’s are left on my own cheeks, after the distractions of the world have turned my head this way, and that. How many, many times has He, exasperated, had to bring me back to Himself and say, “Focus Melinda! I’m working here!”
Truly, I can gum a thing to death, but it will never satisfy like the performance of God in my life, all around me. Thankful for the reminder to keep my focus in the Right Place, even if it was a soggy one.
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!” Proverbs 3:5-10 MSG
“People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit.
Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.” Isaiah 26:3-4 MSG