Today I worked on making some much needed changes to my website. Adding social/business media links and other functionality along with a new layout required much of my concentration. While I sat intently studying the jumble of code on my screen, Cooper came over and asked, “What that mean?”
Absentmindedly I replied, “Mommy is working.”
He pointed specifically at some code on the screen, “What that word mean?”
With a trying to blow the question off tone I said, “It says background.”
“But Mom,” he said quite impatiently, “I know the word background! What that mean?”
He got my attention. I often blow off my kids’ questions because my focus is elsewhere. I answer them at a shallow level, giving enough info that I hope will appease the curiosity so I can get back to what I am doing. Can anyone relate? As they get older, they are beginning to notice. Uh-oh. I better step up my game.
They no longer wonder whether or not I am working – they want to know what I’m working on. It is the difference between the 10,000 foot view and the up close and personal details of what is happening.
How often do we do that to people in our lives? We give the bare minimum of our time or attention in order to stay on track with what we want to do. I know I do it more than I’d care to admit.
I’m totally not suggesting that it is wise to give the nitty gritty details of your life to anyone who looks your way. (We all know people who cross boundaries inappropriately. Awkward!) What I am talking about is the importance of giving people a bit of your focus. Time and again we read that Jesus “looked” at people before He interacted with them. He paid attention to what people were asking Him, what they were doing and then He responded appropriately.
Hoping I can do more of that – not just with the kiddos, but with everyone in my life. Not keeping my attention in the background of what is happening while I do my own thing – but seeing the activity in the foreground.
~ Peace.
