Noticing God in Chaos: 5 Prayers for Tired ParentsSample

Paying Attention

Our lives are loud. Even when we think we’re clearing our minds, we often fill them with something else. Being awake to our lives feels almost unnatural. Disconnecting from technology so we can be present to where we are and who we’re with isn’t easy. Sometimes there are situations or emotions we’d prefer to escape or avoid.

While I’m all for using technology in healthy ways, I’m aware of my propensity to scroll in an attempt to distract or numb myself, and then I’ll tell my friends how I “just can’t find space to think.”

I often wonder what I’m missing out on—what we are collectively missing out on—when we default to zoning out on our phones. What delightful interactions pass us by in the waiting room because we’re too engrossed in a social media thread? What glimpse of humanity do we miss because we’re checking emails while waiting in line at the grocery store?

When my four children were young, my husband went out of town on a work trip. I was frazzled from parenting two toddlers, a preschooler, and an elementary schooler—by myself. I didn’t have any energy to make dinner, so I ordered a pizza.

I herded all the kids into the minivan (an Olympian feat) and finally made it to the pizzeria. I unbuckled them, and with a toddler on each hip, I stood in line while my other children bounced around like they were in a pinball machine. When it was finally our turn to check out, I grabbed the diaper bag for my wallet. It . . . wasn’t there.

The thought of getting everyone back into the vehicle and doing this all over again felt like too high of a hill to climb. But the woman standing in line behind me was paying attention—not scrolling her phone—and generously offered to cover our bill.

Ordinary grace.

Jesus paid attention to people, often those who were unseen. When a woman in the crush of a large crowd touched the hem of His clothes, Jesus knew. He was awake to the place He was in and to the people around Him, along with their needs.

He was paying attention.

Reflection Questions:
What makes you feel most noticed?
When did someone pay attention to you when you needed it?
What distracts you from what’s happening in the moment?
What outside influences have been clamoring for your attention lately?

Breath Prayer:
Inhale: Help me see You
Exhale: In and around me.