Distraction Drowning & Giveaway with Tara Furman
Published April 8, 2011Have you landed here by linking from the Proverbs 31 devotion I have running? If so, welcome! If not, click here to read the devotion and catch up with the rest of us.
And PLEASE make a point to return next Monday when I will feature the amazing testimony of a new friend and her remarkable story of courage. A former follower of Islam, her radical transformation will inspire and challenge you. And she’s offering a fabulous giveaway too! Mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone now!
If you want to make sure you don’t miss out, would you consider signing up in the side bar to the right to receive my posts in your email inbox? Its so simple!
___________________________________________________
Now back to the topic of the devotion: Distractions.
We all have them.
What are yours?
The phone?
Dirty dishes?
A television show?
That never-ending to-do list?
Messy closets and overflowing dressers?
A half-finished hobby?
Some sticky fingerprint-covered windows?
Or how about that oh-so-fun Facebook game that is calling your name?
In the midst of your screaming schedule and tasks at hand, how can you unplug and focus?
I’ve invited someone to help us today.
I met my friend Tara Furman when she was in my speaker evaluation group at our Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference a few years back.
I was struck instantly with her love of God and her desire to help women grow closer to Him.
Last year, I used the Bible study she’s crafted (details below) in my own time alone with God. I found it fresh, inspiring and relevant to my life as a busy mom.
Tara is the founder of Knowing God Ministries, a nonprofit women’s ministry whose passion is to help women hear and see Jesus in their everyday lives.
As a speaker and author, Tara has helped hundreds of women develop their own personal relationship with Jesus. Since 2007, her message has enabled women to:
- Establish a meaningful and consistent quiet time each day-
- Develop the ability to hear Jesus speaking personally to them through His Word-
- Read the Bible in such a way that it is relevant to their everyday lives-
- Develop their own prayer life into more than “God is great, God is good…”
- Discover the visible fingerprints of God in their everyday life –
Tara has recently launched an interdenominational women’s leadership group that aims to equip Christian leaders to be more impactful for Christ in their sphere of influence.
She’s written Intimacy with God, Your Daily Guide to Prayer, and Intimacy with God, Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Life, a seven week Bible study.
Tara is a stay-at-home mom and lives in Cary, NC with her husband Tim and their two children. On any given day, you’ll find her sitting in carpool, at a ball game or unloading the dishwasher.
My sweet friend, who just oozes with Jesus, has graciously offered to give away two copies of her Bible study, each with a $5 Starbucks card to go along with them (a great study & a yummy drink? What a combo!)
So, if you want to be entered in the random drawing to win one of these two giveaway packs, please leave a comment letting us know your greatest distraction in life right now. (Winners announced Monday)
Then, please take a moment to pray for each other. We’re all in this together! Let’s drown out the distractions & center our thoughts on Him!!
Have a fantastic weekend!!
Faith-Focused Blessings,
271 Responses to Distraction Drowning & Giveaway with Tara Furman
Leave a Reply
Subscribe
My Family
Karen,
I, like Martha, am distracted by so many things and so miss the important thing, sitting at Jesus’ feet and spending time with him. It’s hard to put a name to the biggest distraction that drowns me, so I will simply call it “the pile.” As a teacher, I always have a pile of papers to grade, papers to file, and papers to create. As a mother and wife, I always have a pile of housework to complete, meals to make, and laundry to do–in addition to driving to school, baseball, and even the occasional date. (It’s funny how even the fun stuff can seem like a pile some days!) If I were a cartoon character, my pile would appear as a perpetual thundercloud atop my head, always threatening and rumbling and either keeping me from what is really important–time with the Lord, friendships, conversations, relationships–or simply making me feel anxious about spending that time away from the pile, which, of course, is always growing…
I am a working mother of a 7 year old and a 4 year old. The amount of work at my job outside the home is enormous and trying to keep things presentable at home is a losing battle most days. I often say I feel like I am drowning. I feel like I just can’t keep my head above water anymore.
I am very often distracted by producing a product that changes lives rather than focusing on the process I am in with God and sharing that.
I get overwhelmed and centered on the marketing instead of centering my focus on what GOD is revealing and teaching me.
That is the essence of my distraction but it includes a huge host of specific distractions:
How will I learn to speak effectively?
How will I get opportunities to share my message?
Which conferences do I attend?
Which do I need more speaker training or actual speaking?
I think you get the idea …
Thank you for writing this! I too am a very light sleeper… I will have to say my greatest distraction is a neverending to do list. I have a small business I try to keep running as well as two young sons that keep me running! In the midst of all that, trying to keep house, keep the family and the dogs fed, keep those bills paid…the list just keeps going! I think when you don’t get the physical rest you need, it hinders you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I am right now making a great effort to pull away and plug in to what God wants to say to me. Thank you again..God bless
I work full-time in a stress-filled job as a nurse manager and I find that my biggest distraction at home is the additional work and worries that I bring home from my job. I try to find quiet time with Jesus every day, but with my crazy schedule that includes getting up each day at 4:30 am, I can’t always find a space in my day for that quiet time. Add three daughters, a husband and a household to manage and there’s just never enough time! I so want that time with the Word and the Lord…I know it is vital to my life, but I can’t seem to find a way to incorporate it into my daily life.
I am a single mother of 4……. With my former spouse, very much like having more like 5-10th child. He, is my biggest distraction. He needs much prayer. Anyways many distractions… This message is such an important reminder for me and all of us who love the lord. We all need Him more everything that distracts us from him.
This devotion was sent from God to me this morning. Yesterday I made a list of all the responsibilities and commitments that I have so I could prayerfully eliminate those that need to go! Praise the Lord…….one of my commitments was released from me by the other party!!!!! and I will be stepping down from some others today!
Could you e-mail me some information about the Bible Study that was mentioned on the Proverbs 31 devotion this morning…I want to “drown out worldly distractions” and “drown in God’s Presence!”
I love your article – it is so relavent to so many women. We are all constantly bombarded by the distractions of this world. I work full-time, my husband is overseas, and we have 3 fantastic children – a 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and 15-month-old. I struggle to balance work and home, and most days I feel that I inadequately divide my time between our three children. I have a huge basket of distractions to choose from at any time! Cleaning, feeding, sorting, bathing, playing, talking, reading, typing, driving, shopping – the list goes on and on. The Lord reveals to me, moment by moment, what is important in eternity. When I turn to Him for guidance, He shows me which decision is the right one. “Stop folding laundry and come spend time with Me.” It’s not easy to be obedient, and I am far from consistent. However, I know that when I stop to spend time with Jesus – my life is so much more fruitful. And not by this world’s standards, but by my Savior’s standards. When I feel overwhelmed, inadequate, and exhausted, I try to remember – amid all the distractions – to kneel.
I am a recent 45 year old single mom who teaches Kindergarten and First grade. My spouse recently left me and our 7 year old daughter and moved to another state with another woman. I am devastated by this choice he has made. I just recently in the last year since my family started to crumble, started attending church, something I had never done in my life before. I am trying hard to be obedient and feel that I connect with what I have read in the Bible. I am still distracted by if I am saved and the extreme pain and hurt I am dealing with for myself and my daughter. I try to pull myself back to scripture whenever I wake up at night or in the days when my thoughts turn to trying to make sense of things. I feel like my mind is in constant battle.
I have been blesses that many distractions have been removed from my life lately. We have relocated, and we have yet to get “plugged in” to be involved in much. My largest distraction at the moment is also my biggest blessing. I am blessed to now work at home, but am struggling to find a schedule that allows me to get my work done and still enjoy all the benefits of working from home. The largest is getting up before everyone because I often work into the early morning hours. So, I guess sleep is my biggest distraction. I also struggle with anxiety, and this is a distraction I have struggled with for years.
My greatest distraction right now is looking at food blogs, counting calories, etc! I’m slowly learning to let those things go to God – learn to make healthy decision without obsessing over every calorie that enters my mouth. It consumes so much of my time!
I get pulled between the things I know I should be doing and the book I’m reading, the blog I want to check out, and e-mail. It’s so hard to keep on track!
Thank you THANK YOU thank you for your wisdom this morning. In the last few months distraction has been such a major theme in my life. I am a military wife and we recently moved to a new area. I’m currently a stay at home mom but the former school teacher in me had me looking and studying schools 6 months before we moved in order to find the best school for my amazing severly ADHD 7 year old daughter. When I finally thought I found one I thought peace would come so easily. However, I forgot to consult one important person…GOD. The last 7-8 months have been a roller-coaster of craziness…new medications (which didn’t work), my daughter’s ability to read, write, concentrate and learn have gone backwards, a long-term substitute who had no time to understand the energy God has blessed my daughter with, a house with little room to get organized, a 2 year old and to top all of it off…my own ADHD. Just in the last week it was so bad I mis-placed my women’s Bible Study book and lost my daughter’s assignment sheet (which of course surfaced just in time to find that her paper was due…”tomorrow”). So instead of dealing one issue at a time I dove into facebook or shopping. Thankfully we are blessed with a great church body that encourages and prays for me. But it’s only recently that I’ve begun to really seek God on a more personal level and trying to block out those major distractions. I’m finding that as I work to focus on God more those distractions seem to jump out even more. However, it’s the blessing of Women like you that can use God voice to get my attention. So today I’ll begin…AGAIN to try to organize my mind/life and put God where HE should be…at the front. THANK YOU!!!
Everything! Seems to be a distraction to me…I’m a new (er) mom of a busy 14-month old. I “stay at home” (haha), but after helping out with ministry opportunities, grocery shopping, taking care of the house and balancing time with my amazing hubby, my precious time with God seems to be neglected. I occassionally slip back into my profession and take on an interior design project or two, as well as make candles and other crafty stuff–With all of these things, wife, mother, friend, teacher, designer–my motivation, my creativity, who I really am, disappears without my time with God. Thank you for the encouragement!
For me the distraction is “life” in general right now., you know every thing. As a single mom, between work and keeping up with my boys I get a bit overwhelmed. I have felt God tugging on my heart for the past month or so about establishing a definite quiet time each day and your devotion and blog post were well timed! Thanks so much and blessings to you all!
Like so many of the others who have commented here, I am overwhelmed with busy-ness. I work full time outside the home, and have a husband and 4 children depending on me at home. I feel that my problem is too many good things distracting me from the best thing. The Internet is the greatest culprit: so much inspiration and information that I lose myself in trying to keep up with all the blogs and resources I follow, sacrificing peace (and sleep) in the process. Thanks for a much needed wake-up call.
My biggest distraction is my job. A lot of my “To Dos” are done on the computer; I don’t have enough time at my job to get everything done so find myself working at home before and after work and on my days off. I need to find balance and at the same time everything needs to get done. I have started a Bible Study on my own and am trying to make it first each day and also to do some reading/studying after I get home in the evening. The study I am currently doing is on prayer; Tara’s study would be a good follow-up. : )
I have just now started a new commitment with God…really seeking him and what He wants for my life and the lives of my family. My husband is a firefighter and is gone 24hrs at a time and then has a part-time job. He works so hard so I can stay home with my two boys who are 3 & 5 years old. I now feel that God has been tugging on my heart to homeschool my boys. My greatest distraction now is performance. Always beating myself up because the house isn’t clean, what if I fail at homeschooling, am I being a good enough wife. My kids are still little so they still need me alot and that is a huge distraction when I am trying to worship or spend time in the word.
I find myself struggling between what I should be doing and what I am doing. I do try to get work out of the way to enjoy some down time. I read the Bible before moving on to other tasks of the day, but I am not spending the quality time.
Thank you for the reminder to stay focused in God’s word. As a stay at home mom of 4 children I am distracted by day to day life. I am easily side tracked with anything I do. I may be washing the dishes, then finding myself folding clothes as a distraction took me to another room. This leaves me overwhelmed with so many tasks left undone. I do find starting my day out with the guidance of God’s word can give me the reminders throughout the day to stay focused. Stay focused in God’s word.
My greatest distraction is the seemingly neverending list of things to be done. It seems that even when I try to take a moment to relax and just decompress from the workday, the list of other things that I could/should/need to be doing come to mind. Thank you for the devotional and the opportunity to possibly win a book that will help me spend time with God.
Like all the women here, I am also distracted constantly by the things that truly could be put on hold for a time everyday and allow me to spend that time with God. However I very rarely do that for myself. I always have good intentions but usually by the time I realize I once again did not it is time for something else or I am so tired I fall asleep while reading a devotion or praying!
I think right now my distractions are my kids and grandkids. We have several grand children, but 3 of them ages 12, 5, & 4 come over to my house everyday after work until their Mom picks them up at 6:00 on her way home from work. My house has needed some work done for a while, so we have been working on that also. It seems that there are so many day to day distractions that keeps me from really getting into God’s word, and being alone with him. I know there are times when I can take the time to be with Him but I choose to do something else, like read a book or watch TV. I have been doing a lot of self examination lately and I am trying to put God first in all I do. There are so many things that I need to have Him change in me. I am trying to talk to God all throughout the day so I can have the relationship with Him that I need. He is making me aware of some things that I need changed in my life. I pray that I can focus on Him more and drown out all the distractions that keep me from that close relationship.
My biggest distraction is the computer and all the wonderful information available from food blogs to Proverbs 31 ministry. It is so easy to purpose to just ‘check’ one site and then it is 30 minutes later! I get so frustrated with myself as I know I should be spending less time reading.
My greatest distraction right now is ME; I get busy in my head with all the things I need and want to accomplish that day and that week that I plan out everything but the time and accomplishment I need most – time with God. I’m going to start making a list the night before of what I want to do the next day so it’s all there in front of me and then I am free to take morning time to spend with God, my Bible and a good cup of tea (and maybe a cat or two).
Loved your devotion today. My biggest distraction right now is my never ending to-do-list. I am having surgery the beginning of May & will be out of commission for about 6 weeks. Trying to get the house prepared, care scheduled for my kids and food ready for us to eat during my recovery period has caused me to push my quiet time with God aside. Thanks for the reminder to put Him back at the top of my list.
My biggest distraction is probably the internet since I have two email addresses due to working from home. One is for work and the other is for personal and trying to keep them both cleaned out is a challenge. And my husband has started “doing his own thing” for the past 9 months which includes getting home very late every night and no longer going to church. So needless to say, all of the housework is up to me as well. These past few days, I have felt so exhausted, burnt out and not sure how much longer I can keep trying “to make things work” from my end with him. It’s draining. Thank you for your devotional today. It hit home!
Count me in!
I find that finding that special time with Jesus each day is not as difficult for me as avoiding the distractions in my head while I’m actually in the presence of Him. The season of Lent gave me the opportunity to “reorganize” my priorties and make special time with Jesus one of my Lenten challenges. I’m getting up earlier each morning to spend time with Him and hope these 40 days will become a habit once Lent is over. What challenges me is keeping my mind and heart focused during this time on being quiet in God’s presence. I have devotionals I read, scripture, and sometimes even Christian music playing quietly in the background, but my mind frequently pulls to other things during this time. It’s a constant struggle fighting Satan for this time with Jesus and I get frustrated, but I also know that God is stronger than Satan and all I need to do is stay strong, committed to this time with Him, and pray.
The things that distract me from a fulfilling, abiding relationship with Jesus all stem from my human weakness and deep need for Him.
Living in a culture of action and noise, I allow myself to “need” the media, the music and the news more than allowing my Creator, Redeemer, and Lover of my soul to fulfill me.
Distractions will always be there. So is Christ.
I am learning/re-learning that I need to choose Him each moment, snuggle in, trust, talk, share, praise, wonder and enjoy Him.
So, to answer the stated question of what distracts me from a more intimate relationship with God?
Everything! trashy TV, food, shopping, being “perfect”, thinking I need to “juggle it all”….etc……
I am so glad that we serve a God who settles things immediately when we turn off the world and tune Him in.
Thanks for your entry today.
This so spoke to my heart this morning!! My daily goal is to have some quiet time with God….most days I fail. Between a 3 1/2 yaer old, 18 month old and 5 month old my life stays pretty busy. If I attempt a quiet time it is usually at night and I am prone to falling asleep! God has been graciously feeding me through others and daily devotions delivered to my inbox, but I definietly want more!
I am distracted by the little things. I will be doing something on the computer, then start playing a game or just check Facebook. I will see one project to start, then end up in two or three at the same time. I end up wasting a lot of time.
These studies sound so refreshing! I do try to have my alone time with God each day. I find I am distracted by myself when I am trying to hear Him, thinking about my prayer requests and such.
Thank you for letting us know about Tara, what a blessing!
This devotional for me today was so critical. I was just sipping my coffee and ready to spend some time with my Heavenly Father and literally had to look away from the clean laundry pile on th couch ready to be folded. The dishes in the sink…it all never ends. ha!
But, I know that my entire day goes so much better with the right perspective when I’ve spent that time with God.
Stephanie
I confess I’m an email and Facebook junkie. Last month I decided to start taking a Sabbath break from Facebook & emails. So in spite of the fact we live in an electronic gadget world & my church just went live on YouVersion so we can take notes on our smart phones, I avoid the Facebook and email apps on Sundays. Now to avoid them first thing in the mornings for that quiet time with the Lord.
Blessings-
Work, working out, spending time with friends and family, cleaning, internet!, reading, TV/movies…there’s always something else that could be done, but the time must be set aside and I’m learning more and more that a consistent time of day is probably best.
Thank You, Thank You, for all your words of encouragment and beautiful Godly direction. My morning devotions are spent partially online with Proverbs 31 and 411 God……But then I find it difficult to change courses, and go to my bible to read God’s special words for me each day. My connection with others through email becomes a priority for me…..my physical need to be needed and accepted and liked and wanted begins my day and too often determines my day. I would like to see that change….I hope to read your book.
As an artist, I find myself with God while deep in creativity. I desire to paint every day……I should paint every day to grow in the spirit, I enjoy painting when I paint….but I don’t quiet myself enough to do it. I seek out friendship, lunches, coffee out, walks and entertainment to fill the sometime lonely hours of being a single mom of grown girls. I make others my distraction……I know I need change……from which will come the peace of my God and renewal of my creative heart.
We all have so many distractions each day that sometimes it is too overwhelming. I think my biggest promblem is commitment to make the time for daily devotion. Sounds like your give a way would be a big help. Thank you
I soooo needed this today…thank you! I am going to look into purchasing one of these recourses for sure. I also hope to give one to my daughter, a new mom that works at a daycare a few hours a day and struggles to keep up at home and form a relationship with God because of the many distractions. Thanks again!
TV is a huge distraction for me. Also the clutter of paper etc on mykitchen counter that I call my “soft sculpture”. I’ve recently started to I turn o
daughter leave for work and school
My biggest distraction is my always messy house (and 5 lively young children that create the messes:)
It does not take much to distract me at all. Then I have to remember to get back into studying the Bible and make myself more aware. I am better than I used to be, however. I guess the biggest distraction is what I am going to be doing with my day.
My childre! I have 2 young boys (a preschooler and a toddler) who are very busy and they like to wake up early! Need I say more?:)
I am ashamed to say, it is the TV, I recently got DVR service and it has proven to be a major time sucker.
Oh, boy, does this hit home! Distraction… that’s me! I’m a mom who works one full-time job and a part-time job, volunteers for various civic groups, and tying to figure out how to lose weigh and fit in exercise. And, sadly, I have a huge addiction to Facebook… someone had posted earlier that they got distracted, had all kinds of things to do, so instead of working on them, they logged on Facebook… well, that’s me. I don’t deal with the distractions very well. Thanks for pointing out that I’m not alone…
Right now, the best way I can describe my situation is the classic “so busy doing the work of the Lord that I’m neglecting the Lord of the work.” I often find myself coasting along on the fact that I’m busy with church responsibilities and encouraging my Christian friends… but feeling disconnected from God. The Proverbs 31 devotion came at a great time and I’m very interested in Tara’s Bible study.
Wow, it sounds like so many of us are distracted by the same or similar things. I am a working mother of two young children and can’t even count the number of distractions that threaten my time with God. Perhaps the greatest of these distractions, though, is my unhealthy need to please everyone else (even knowing that simply pleasing God is all I need to do) and my feelings of not being ‘good enough.’ I thank you, Karen, for your message and pray that we will all be able to tune out our distrations and spend time with our Savior.
I was never a baby person and now I have a 9 month old. My daughter is amazing, and I love her more than I ever thought I could. However, I am still getting used to having someone else be my priority. She comes first, which puts everything else last, including my time with God. I want to be more devoted, but I keep getting sidetracked. I have been away from God for a while and am not really sure how to get Him back in my life as a priority.
Like so many others I am distracted by working full time outside the home and having a family at home – not that either of those are bad things they just take lots of time. I also have a health issue that often distracts me with pain and fatigue. It is very hard to find the time and a place for quiet.
I think my biggest distraction is probably the internet. I love reading blogs, and when I first started I only followed a couple of friends that I know personally. Now I follow several people that I have never met…not that it’s a bad thing but it takes a lot of time to read those every day. And I feel like I have to…Every. Single. Day. Every night when I go to bed, I say, “Tomorrow I will do better. I will turn the computer off. I will have quiet time with God. I will spend my free time (precious little that it is) better.” But somewhere along the way, I always forget those words and my distractions win.
Thinking about editing my blog list and cutting out some of those nonessentials.
Reading has always been my distraction. Now I have commuted not to turn to just any book but to turn on my iPhone, read my P31 devotional, read the extra verses and spend stll and quiet time before God. Then I get to go read the blogs; so much better material to feed my heart and soul. Thank you!
As a homeschooling mom of 3 boys, I am certainly distracted by much these days. Boys waking up far earlier than I had anticipated has cut into my morning quiet time recently. I do keep my Bible and handy devotionals by my bedside, so I can quickly reach over and read a devotion/verse or two before my feet ever hit the floor, but knowing they’re up and at ‘em is a distraction. Because most moms know that once you get going, it doesn’t stop. I would love an opportunity to win one of the devotional give-away packs.
Thank you for your ministry here on the blog. I often stop by to read and am always encouraged and lifted up. Enjoyed seeing you on the Made to Crave webcast, too! Have a wonderful weekend!
Sweet Blessings,
Pam
Heavenly Father,
Like so many others have commented, I too am bombarded by distractions that carry me away from the things you have called me to do and be. I pray Father for all who have come here to admit their struggles. I pray for those who are feeling alone and lost due to heartache and pain. Comfort them with Your gentle Spirit of love and acceptance. Please help us all to avoid the temptations of this world as we strive to be all we are needed to be. Please lead us and guide us on Your path and Your plan for our lives. We love and praise You! In Jesus’ name, amen.
My biggest distraction is my schedule, I work in retail and I work all different times and days of the week, as well as holidays because where I work is considered a tourist area. I’m even working on Easter Sunday!!
I’m meeting with my pastor this Monday because of depression, both my kids moved out within the last year, and all I ever wanted was to have kids, they are 25 & 28 this year so it’s normal for them to leave,
but I feel like I’m swimming in a sea of work, appointments and housework. I’m happily married, but I’m at a different stage in my life and I don’t know what to do with it. What does God have planned for me or is this it.
As I write this I feel I need to stop and get ready for work.
Karen, thank you so much for your devotion! It is amazing how God speaks directly to us sometimes – I feel like this is exactly what I needed today. Lately I have been longing for more quiet time with God, and yet it seems the laundry, my husband, my one-year-old or the T.V. seem to win out instead. You have helped to remind me that there will always be distractions, but that it’s ok to tell my family (and everything else) that it will have to wait until I have spent my time with the Lord. What a refreshing thought that is! : )
My 20 year old daughter and I were both talking about the ‘distractions’ of life the other day. For this reason, she canceled her facebook account – which I give her credit for as a 20 year old! But in my case, it is family responsibilities and work and the house, etc. She is trying to figure out what she is supposed to do with the rest of her life; and the current economy has me in the same place. It would be great to win this combo and be able to share the second book with her (she lives about 2 1/2 hours away from me). It’s also encouraging to know that others experience the same problems and have overcome them. Thanks.
I actually just finished leading a class called “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha world” and it was an incredible success in starting to bring this group of women to realize their need for intimate time with Jesus everyday…..and even after 12 weeks we all still struggle with the distractions of everyday life (cuz we are all Martha you know!!) We decided at the last class to continue our group get together to encourage each other to stay on the path of intimacy and have even decided to start our own little ministry called Martha Mary Ministries and I think that this book would be a welcome addition to our struggle for intimacy! I guess my biggest struggle is just finding the quiet time….my husband and I are both self employed. I work from home and my husband does a lot of the time as well…..and he isn’t quiet about it!! I can’t seem to get up early, before everyone else (I’m one of those people that requires 8 hours of sleep) and if he is talking on the phone right after the kids are off to school….there goes my quiet time! …..and reading the bible just isn’t the same if you don’t have the quiet along with it! Thank you so much for providing these kinds of books/studies for those of us who struggle!! God bless you….I know that he has blessed me! Lisa
Wow, so many distractions I try not to even think about them. I am constantly striving for improvement and to simplify my life and that of my family. I want to be everything God wants me to be and am so thankful for where he has brought me from. He has truly opened my eyes and shown me so much in the last 2 years. I now feel more like I have a relationship with him and hunger for more closeness and to hear from him. I need his guidance and the wisdom and knowledge to discern. By the way, what is quiet time?!
I am a mom of 2 and I work part-time. One of my biggest distractions is reading…..books, the paper, websites, etc. What I have left out of my daily schedule is time alone with God. I say a prayer here and there and read a verse here and there, but I need focus. I need something to get me back on track and to help me be intentional about my relationship with Jesus. Thanks!
Oh yes, distraction are a plenty in my life. Sometimes I don’t understand how or why I let them take precedence over my life-depending time with God.
It seems as though the distractions have grown with time. A husband and 15 month baby later, I find that on a lot of days I am neglecting majority of the important areas of my life namely God, rest, proper nutrition, etc.
My greatest struggle is not being able to let things just be if they have to if that means I get my quiet time with God and the rest I need. I struggle with wanting to be the Proverbs 31 wife with a sparkly clean kitchen floor, shiny mirrors, and an empty kitchen sink. But with a husband gone majority of the day to work and a 15 month old to keep busy; it is virtually impossible for me to clean, cook, shower, eat, spend time with God, do homework, take care of my son. So I pick and choose and shamefully admit that they are usually not in the right order. I’ll forgo a much needed nap after being up all night with a teething toddler so I can clean the bathroo in the short 2 hours that he’s taking his afternoon. I’ll forgo lunch so I can shower and fold the laundry. Or I’ll forgo time with God to take that nap, eat and shower in those two hours. A few months of this and my body crashes and I get incredibly sick (like right now).
This seems like a never-ending cycle for me but I know I am not without hope. God says if we seek Him first everything else shall be added unto us (I’m not sure this means that the mop will waltz across the kitchen floor while I’m sleeping or the dishes will talk themselves clean) but I know that He is the much needed source of strength and peace for all those things that are weighing me down in some way or the other.
Thank you for the encouragement. You are being used in such a mighty way to encourage God’s daughters. Have a great weekend, my sister-friend in Jesus
My biggest distraction is the TV. I have struggled for years to limit the time spent watching TV, but maybe I just need to get rid of it completely. I know I desperately need more quiet time with God, so thanks for the inspiration to get to it!
My biggest distraction right now is being “tired” which really just means lazy. I have a to do list, that seems to need to get done, but I don’t want to work on it…so everything sits undone, as I sit ont he couch. There are things around my house that have been screaming for a month for me to check off my to do list, but I am just being lazy. Perhaps this weekend is the perfect time to focus on what I need to take care of at the house–that will in turn help free up my time to spend doing the more important things…and I can use my “sitting time” to be still for the Lord, and not have the to do list interrupting my time.
what perfect timing for this devotional, as i was trying to coax myself out of bed this morning, my goal being to read my bible and comtemplate before my husband and the dogs arrived on the scene, [they are distracting]. . . . i came here to check for one email response, and read your encouragement. i am easily distracted………years of back clutter which had not been attended to as it used to be, housework, doctors appts., doggies needing and ”asking” for attention, husband retired and wanting to converse, tasks to do for aging mother, the list goes on [ and i am tired and distracted just thinking about it!]. anyway, i think this book would really help. . . . gotta go, time to read The Book before i jump into this day.
Great POST! I am distracted “NOW” by trying to get a job after 8 years of “dedication” to my last job. I have been frantically searching – of course “getting ahead of God” –MISTAKE! I have been turning off TV though and focusing on some Bible Studies that I have been blessed with. One in particular I could have not done if I wasn’t unemployed. I am 56 years old, still growing in the LORD after accepting Christ in my life at the age of 47 – the year my life turned around and I praise the LORD daily for that! I have often read many articles, books, etc. on distractions but I truly like how you put this all together in an easy reading post. THANK YOU! I WILL BE FOLLOWING YOUR BLOG.
Karen, I loved the devotion this morning. It was even more special when I got to the end and read the verse “Be still and know that I am God” which God seems to be speaking to me all the time–bumper stickers, devotions, music, etc. What really stood out to me this morning, however, was the addition of the words “Let Be”… I had always looked at this verse as telling me to quit worrying but had never associated it with distractions. My biggest distractions right now are my 3 teenagers and husband who have never accepted Christ. I’ve been so focused on everyone else that I’m left exhausted, drained and empty.
I am always amazed at how God gives me the message that I need when I need it the most! I have been feeling overwhelmed with all the household distractions that need to be done, taking care of the kids’ needs, finding time for God and just maybe a couple of minutes for myself! I always seem to make time for the things I want to, such as a TV show or computer time, so obviously my priorities need to shift a bit. Thanks for your devotion today on Proverbs 31–it was just what I needed to jumpstart my day!
My biggest distractions are reading and the computer. I love to bake and cook, so I’m always reading cooking blogs. While it is good to find new recipes, browsing the internet can suck up a lot of time and before I know it, I’ve sat here longer than I intended to!! I need to cut down that time and spend more time doing something more productive!
For me it’s mostly busyness and exhaustion at the end of the busy days. I read my Bible but don’t always take the time to really let things sink in and have the quiet I know God wants for me. Either of these studies would be a great help.
Rebecca Ann
ps I love this new font!
I always seem to get distracted by a never ending to do list. I always feel like I should be “doing” something that is on that list. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by “the list” and can’t seem to get started on anything!
My biggest distractions right now is my computer. Email, facebook, blogs and games take up a lot of my time when I should be doing other things.
My biggest distraction right now is my job. It is not a good fit for me, and unfortunately, the unhappiness permeates the rest of my life and I am often tired and frustrated. It makes it hard to put anything else in the front of my mind.
Distractions…There are so many that we let get in our way. I was thinking of this just before I read this article. I have let my quite time spot get cluttered, so now the place to read is in front of the tv. I know it isn’t hard to push the off or mute button on the remote, but again why don’t I do it. We let things get in our way all day long. Instead of setting aside a time limit on things, we just get lazy and loose track of time we spend on doing one thing. Things that can be done in 5 minutes take us 30 or more. This is something I sure need to work on.
Tara’s books Intimacy with God, Your Daily Guide to Prayer, and Intimacy with God, Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Life, a seven week Bible study, sound wonderful. Would make a great summer Bible study with a friend. It could help two learn to keep our eyes on the Lord and to use His time wisely.
My biggest distraction, biggest pull away from devotional time, is the computer, facebook and my email accounts are always calling me. I love getting the Proverbs 31 devotionals in my email inbox because it puts a devotional right where a lot of my attention is.
Hi there! My biggest distraction right now is my mind. I’m not sure how to turn it off so I can tune in to Jesus. I homeschool 4 little lovies and I have my home to run This book looks fabulous! Have a great day~Lyn
My biggest problem is that I let myself find distractions – housework that needs done, TV, etc. – to pull me away from Bible study that I know I should be doing. Last January I started the Bible in one year study and I still have not finished it. I am not giving up. I still have about two months left and I WILL finish it. I would love this study to help me get more motivated. I really love the reading once I get into it. I am just a slow starter and need help in that area. Love your blog and Weight Loss Wednesdays.
I have a 7month old son, so there are lots of distractions. Sleep deprivation causes me to try to nap whenever possible so that I can stay sane. Dishes, laundry, cleaning up the high chair, organizing his clothes that no longer fit anymore, making dinner, making baby food, etc. I feel like whenever I have a spare minute I use it to just stay above water. I gave up facebook for lent, it is amazing how much more time I have, though I seem to still fill with everything else BUT time with God.
As a part-time special education teacher, and full time pastor’s wife, my life is filled with distractions! Sometimes I feel torn in all directions, wanting to give my all, but constrained by the hours of the clock and my own physical exhaustion. Through the years, I know that I could not get ANYTHING done, if I do not first meet with the Lord. Armed with a large cup of hot coffee and God’s word, I meet Him each morning before I start the day. Sometimes my eyes still closed as I enjoy those first sips of my coffee, just enjoying the morning and His presence. Then God’s word encourages and directs me for the day. God, the Creator of the Universe, instructs me………and you…….each day. Please make sure you have “your” time with Him. He’s waiting for you!
Distraction seems to be my middle name. Not just sometimes, but ALL the time. The PC, my phone, T.V., stuff. All that stuff drives me farther and farther from the Word. I love to read, you would think that would help, but no, I read on the web mostly, instead of picking up my Bible and reading it, I find something else to read, an article, web site, not a physical book. I feel the Lord pulling me to Him, and I am trying to heed that call. Thank-you for this devotional. No doubt the book will help a lot toward getting back into God’s Word. God bless you.
My biggest distraction is myself. I worry so much about being stressed and harsh with my kids that I waste a lot of time cleaning and preparing for things that don’t need to be done. It takes away time from God and my kids. I feel God telling me to spend more time with him, I just don’t know how.
Ugh! When you listed “facebook games” I felt busted! I have 5 children, 3 still @home, 3 grandchildren, housework, starting a counseling ministry, and many other daily activities other moms have that fill my days. Farmville is my relaxing time, no excuse though, time with my Father & being in the Word is so much more important. The time I spend harvesting and planting my crops in the game could be spent harvesting & planting the seeds of God’s Word into lives.
Thank you for today’s post!
Wow.. life in general can be such a distraction.. failing health of loved ones and trying to know how to best minister to them and still be doing what the Lord has led me to do (going after my PhD), being a good wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, employee, …..and then there are financial distractions that garner way too much of my time. Too often I find time to read but then make excuses for not being in the word. Thanks for the post.
My biggest distraction these days is our family’s schedule. As my two older children (15 and 17) become more involved in the world outside our home, knowing who’s got to be where and when, then getting them there and back is really challenging. But, I am savoring every moment because these precious days will be gone before I know it!
I need miserably to establish a consistent quiet time. My mind is always racing and i think that’s my biggest distraction. I’m always thinking about something, planning something, organizing something in my mind. I pray that God gives me direction and a strong desire to be consistent in my prayer life and in my quiet moments with Him.
Blessings!
Almost anything can be a distraction for me, but early morning between 5:00-6:00 is my favorite time for many things – time with God, exercise, writing, and on some days, more sleep. Since I can’t do everything in that one hour, I’ve learned to find other times when I can spend time with God, even if it’s only a few minutes at a time. What’s really awesome is the more time my daughter sees me with my Bible out, the more I see her using her Bible. So while I was frustrated at first on not being able to do everything in my early morning hour, it’s been a blessing.
My distractions are numerous–because sometimes I have a hard time saying no! As the wife of a man with a chronic illness and being a newlywed, I find it hard to get the house chores done, work a full-time job, and then have some time to be me as well…I try to just offer a word of prayer whenever I think about it, and sometimes that just has to do.
Satan will use anything and everything to keep us from spending time with God especially not being able to focus, don’t fall for it!.
My greatest distraction right now is the room full of boxes from our recent move. Trying to get organized but at a stand still.
Well, I’m not sure where to begin. I’m a mom of 3, I work full time for 2, and I’m a wife of 1 (thankfully)!! Between life at home, mounds of laundry and housework, and working full time ~ I always have something that needs to be done. Just the simple act of “thinking of stopping or resting” is overwhelming. I may drop one of the balls that I’m juggling. We have an amazing prayer ministry at our church and I throughly enjoy having the opportunity to be that point person to get those requests out to my fellow warriors – that is my favorite distration (next to my girls, of course!). I yearn for a peaceful and quite place to call my own where I can just sit and soak in the love, peace, and calmness that my Jesus provides. Thank you for your blog and all that you do for the Kingdom – us crazy busy momma’s out here really enjoy the spiritual snack that you provide to our souls.
My answer is a little different as compared with my “normal” everyday life. It’s a little different because we recently moved out of state, away from my friends and family. (It’s the first time I’ve moved!) We are staying in temporary housing–a 1000sq ft apartment–my husband and I, and our two kiddos, 4 and 2 years old. It’s quite a challenge to say the least. The house we’ve chosen is across town. As a result, I am very distracted by how lonely I am. We aren’t really involved in anything yet since we’re on the “wrong” side of town right now, so there aren’t many opportunities to meet people. Some days I get so down, it’s like it consumes me, and I completely forget that there’s a world out there and that Jesus is right here with me.
I get so easily distracted–I try but alot of times I fail. This may sound silly but sometimes sitting in the bathroom works the best for me!! Blessings and have a wonderful day!! Barb
Ok can I just answer…all of the above? I have 5 kids, one of which is in preschool and another I homeschool. There is always something in the dishwasher, washer or dryer. I soothe my conscience with assurances that these things MUST be done, my family has to be taken care of. As if God doesn’t know my schedule or struggles, as if He didn’t give me these 5 precious children to care for here. I know all of these things, but for some reason I still struggle with taking time out of my day to spend with Him. Your post today comes at just the right time. Thank you…
My biggest distraction is …. everything! I have so much to do that I don’t even know where to start and don’t do anything at all. And then of course, my distraction gets even bigger. It’s a terrible cycle that I just can’t seem to break.
Wow, this really made me think At this point in my life, it is just my husband and I. Although I work full time, I do have more free time than when the kids were around. I am distracted by thinking too much about the past; hurtful times and sad times, when instead I should be focusing on right now, praising God and being grateful for all His blessings.
Thank you for letting me share this.
Honestly, the internet itself is a distraction for me.lol I can get on here for a specific reason to look up scripture references and Lexicon word meanings and the next thing I know, I’m looking at what’s going on in the world. I need blinders and focusers(my word) to keep me on track.
My biggest distraction is myself. Not staying focused on God and His Word but rather focusing on me. Not that it is all that bad. I am not overfocused on appearance or pleasing others. It is more that I get so hung up on what I think I can’t do for God that gets me distracted. It hangs up my thought life and keeps me dwelling in a place that almost shuts me down. It takes my gaze away from what He is doing in and through me. Thankfully God gets my attention and calls me to refocus.
It is hard for me to concentrate when my kitchen is a mess so I often clean it then get distracted with other things before I realize my time to sit down with God is gone.
My biggest distraction in the computer. It’s not one thing on the computer and some of the things are edifying, but when I feel overwhelmed rather than run to God, I sometimes go and sit at the computer.
It is interesting to read the comments because I see myself in a lot of therm. My biggest distraction is also my mind. I can’t seem to turn it off no matter how hard I try. I also focus too much on myself and the problems at hand. I wish God would answer some of our prayers but maybe he is telling me to learn to focus on Him and not on our needs. I am so confused. Nanci at kelbla@aol.com
Just the devotion that I needed right now! My biggest distraction is cleaning! As a stay-at-home mama with 7 sweet kiddos, there is plenty of clutter to go around! The clutter and mess can stress me out and I find myself cleaning 24/7! Lately when I have found a moment of peace in my day (when the baby is sleeping), I am loading the dishwasher and folding a load of laundry “real quick” and skipping my devotions. I love to “serve” my kids and be a blessing in their life, and that’s often why I do the cleaning MYSELF… but I think I would be MORE of a blessing if I consistently took time to better my personal relationship with God! I have talked of doing a chore chart for years and I think now is the time! There’s no bigger way to bless our kids than to be a a Godly example in their everyday life!
I can’t begin to count distractions, but the biggest are reading (I love a good suspense story!), my favorite TV show, and mostly my own thoughts. I try to find a spot, but there’s always something else that gets my attention. In the bedroom…look at the dust on the dresser. And isn’t it time for some clothes to go to Goodwill? Outside…look at those weeds. And there are sticks to pick up. I haven’t played with the dog in a long time. So I trade my quiet time for somehting productive because then I can rationalize it as being okay. I am a mess!