I am one of the most distracted people in this world.

No, really, it’s true.

When cleaning my house, I will start cleaning the kitchen. I find something that belongs in the bathroom, so I go to the bathroom to put that item away. Once in the bathroom, I realize the sink is a disaster. I clean the sink. I then return to the kitchen to get a drink of water. While getting the Brita out of the fridge, I realize the shelves have something sticky on them. I then clean the shelves altogether forgetting that I came to get a drink of water. I move on to the exterior of the fridge and clean the doors. I am now stepping in crumbs so I get the broom and sweep the floor.

This process repeats itself over and over again. Don’t believe me? Ask my husband. He laughs at me because he is fully aware of what is going on, but I have no clue. I’ve been working for hours and hours and have little to show for it because I have accomplished these little tasks and when I could have had the bathroom spotless.

….And, I still never got my drink of water….

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I was reading in Psalms yesterday and this pattern in my life reminded me of what I was reading.

Anyone ever read the Old Testament and followed the stories of the Israelites? Well, they have a tendency to start following God, then to quickly forget that he is around and move on to their next distraction. Once they made a bronze calf and worshiped it. Another time they complained to God of their food options so God sent Mana from HEAVEN and quail for them to eat…. he sent it from heaven….that is amazing! But, in their normal behavior, eventually didn’t trust God in his provision.

If you want a quick synopsis of the old testament, read Psalm 78 (click here).

This verse sums up the Israelites to me: “In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe,” (Psalm 78:32 ESV).

Yet, regardless of these things, God, at the end of Psalm 78, as an act of his loving-kindness and grace, sent David to shepherd the people of Israel and direct them to a better path: “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand,” (Psalm 78:72 ESV).

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I see this in my life constantly.

Firstly, in my cleaning, he sent me Eric to keep me on task 🙂 and make sure I stick to the one room I started working on. Joking aside, secondly, I am so easily distracted in my life. Things get in the way: Worries of life, stress, busyness, friendship/relationship issues, etc. I am walking down a path trusting God and then – boom – something enters the path and pushes me off course. Then, by God’s grace, he uses something to redirect me. Those things are usually either the Bible, my husband, my church (and those I’m in community with), a song, etc.

God is so gracious. How many times have I promised him (just like Peter) that I would trust him and not deny him, yet I continue to do so just like the Israelites? He provides Mana from heaven, and two minutes later I am complaining about it or storing it up for myself because I am afraid he will not provide tomorrow. Stupidity.

In light of the New Year tomorrow (2015, can you believe it?!) I am choosing once again to commit to following Christ. To accepting the freedom he has already given me and not falling into the same sins that he delivered me from. To trusting in his goodness despite my circumstances. To learning about him more and more daily as I read his word and talk with him. To community and growing deeper and deeper in relationship with those in my church while I serve God, my church, and my community. To teaching my baby (coming oh so soon!!!) about God and his goodness and faithfulness. To growing in my relationship with my husband and learning and growing in our faith in God together. To so many things!! Welcome, 2015….I’m ready for you!!

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God, thank you so much for the grace you lavish on me… From the time I accepted your gift of salvation for my sins taking on the debt that I could not, to now, walking and following you despite the many distractions of life that I so often allow to get me off course. Thank you for guiding me, and thank you for providing for me. I trust in you. Help me to remember your goodness in the darkest of nights and the lightest of days. You are all-sufficient.

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To Be Continued…