My husband despises my mind. Well, it’s more like a love-loathe thing. That’s because I multi-task ALL THE TIME. We’ll go to the store and I tear the list in half, giving him half and I take the other half. My goal is to get it done as quickly as possible.
But my husband’s goal is to relax, browse the lovely selection of grocery goods, and spend time together. I do that with everything. Doing one thing at a time is a luxury for birthdays and anniversaries. Do women ever get to focus solely on one thing? NO–not when we have so much to do and take care of!
Why just watch TV when I can get the laundry folded? Why just take a bath when I can read my favorite book?
Why cook supper and let the baby fuss?
Why just make out with my husband when I can create a grocery list in my head? . . .
Okay–that’s where my husband got to me. The other day, he tried to be the loving, doting husband that he is by stealing a few moments of quiet to give me a kiss or two. With so many things on my mind and being up to my eye balls policing fights with the kids, my mind wandered to that mental notepad and I began creating my grocery list.
“Heather! Earth to Heather? I’m kissing you.”
“Yeah, I know. Why did you stop?”
“Because your mind isn’t here with me. I can be a part-time husband if you want to be a part-time wife.”
Whoa! That got my attention and jolted me back to Sunday’s sermon when our Pastor spoke of how God wants us to have a single focus. And that includes moms. I’d say it’s one of the hardest things God asks us to do. Here’s the kicker: the Bible tells us repeatedly to have a single focus.
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction so
stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all,
works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are
and think and do is permeated with Oneness.Ephesians 4:4-6 (The Message)
We are called to have a single focus through out each day. I’m not saying to drop half your list, sit the baby on the floor to fuss; but I am saying BE PRESENT. Let your attention be undivided.
So I tried practicing having a single focus for one day after the make-out mishap. IT. WAS. HARD. But my efforts were rewarded with the smiles from my kids and a more relaxed husband. Try it mama, you don’t know what you’re missing and it may be something you want to practice yourself!
Learn more about the author Heather Riggleman
Want more of Heather? Check out Teen Mom? Two Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Heather. Only this morning I felt the Lord remind me to stay focussed on Him, rather than getting all frantic over so many other things! For me it is about being devoted to the Lord first, being a good husband second & being an artist (Bible Cartoonist) third. So often I inadvertantly reverse that 3 point list – Ooops! Today I think the Lord is asking me to cut out some of the other distractions from my life, so that I can have that single-minded focus you write about. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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