How many hats do you wear? Do you ever feel pulled in ten directions? I’m a mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, chauffeur, pastor’s wife, friend, writer, and student. It’s easy to get mixed up about what hat I’m supposed to be wearing on what day. One day I’m working chemistry problems, and the next I might lead a Bible study. What’s my role supposed to be? I lose focus.
And then there’s the multi-tasking. How can a person cook a meal, answer an email, fold clothes, and answer a phone call at the same time? Then someone walks into the kitchen and says, “Have you seen my backpack?” It’s enough to scatter anyone’s brain! You lose focus.
I may not always see my calling clearly, and I may forget what I’m supposed to be doing, but I want my life to have one focal point:
I want a life built around God’s love for me and everyone else on this planet.
I want to remember two things each day:
1. I’m dearly loved.
2. I’m called to show God’s love to others.
When I serve as a greeter at my church or mingle with the crowd at my brother’s beer brewery, I want my message to be this: “God loves you.”
When I run out to the grocery store, proofread something for a friend, or listen to my daughter’s dream at the breakfast table, I want to let love be my guide.
When my husband needs a favor, I want to show him that I value him, instead of giving the impression that it’s super-inconvenient, and I have so many other things to do.
You see, even though I wear all the different hats, my focus can become all about me. What do I want? What’s going to make Betsy happy? What’s convenient for me?
I want to lay down that “Me first” mentality and focus on God’s call to love.
What about you? Do you ever feel like you lose your focus? Who can you show God’s love to today?
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. This week’s prompt is “Focus.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement. Also joining with Arabah Joy’s Grace & Truth, Susan B. Mead’s Dance with Jesus, and Deb Wolf’s Faith ‘N Friends.
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Not up to saying much except great post, Betsy.
Only hats I wear are survival and duty.
#2 at FMF, I think.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/02/your-dying-spouse-115-hopeful-heart-fmf.html
Those are two good hats to wear, Andrew. Thanks for stopping by. May God surround you with Love.
Betsy, thank you. It hurts so much now. And I am so scared.
Even when everything else is out of focus, knowing that God is at the center is tremendous! Even if you get everything else wrong, you get His love right!
Oh yes, God at the center. His love in all we do. May it be a reality! Thanks for subscribing to my blog, Kadie!
Wonderful post, Betsy. May our focus be to show His love in all we do. Have a great weekend!
You too, Joanne!
Good words! Thanks friend! Happy Friday to you!
Happy Friday to you, Rachel!
Oh yes ma’am I’m all too guilty of focusing on the wrong person (ahem, me) a lot of the time. And I get so scattered that it takes a lot of effort some days to put things back in the proper perspective. Time spent hunkered down in the word and prayer is usually just the right thing to restore me and I try to keep the idea of “Let Love Lead” in the forefront of my mind though some days I’m only human! Thank goodness His mercies are new every morning!
Thanks for your breath of fresh air, and for that “Let Love Lead.” such a good word. Yes, indeed, His mercies are new every morning!
God must know I really needed FOCUS today. 🙂 I love how you call me back to what’s important — knowing that I am loved AND loving others. It also reminds me of my family mission statement, ‘to know God and make Him known’. Otherwise, what else is there? Wishing you blessings on this beautiful Friday, my friend!
Love that family mission statement, Marva! Glorious. Happy Weekend!
Last night I was at a study group at church, and one woman was talking about her daily life with her mother who has Alzheimers, and whom she lives with. And she said “I just want to have Jesus’ face before me at all times.” What a focus. We prayed for that for her, and for her mother as well.
Oh, I can only imagine your friend needs that focus. How hard. I need to have Jesus’ face before me too. But your friend’s challenge is great.
Focus takes efforts. And choosing to elevate the needs of others before ours takes effort as well, but people notice when you’re listening and loving on them and by doing that we’re showing them Jesus. If that’s all we can do today to show someone Jesus is by focusing on God’s call to love, then by all means we’ll leave an imprint of God’s love on their heart. Have a wonderful weekend Betsy.
Thank you Crystal. Focus does take effort. Last night I needed to listen to a family member WHILE I was writing this Five Minute Friday post, so I made myself put the computer down, turn the screen away, and FOCUS on the person in front of me. I hope you’ll have a chance to leave the imprint of His love on someone this weekend, Crystal.
Betsy, I very much appreciate the reminder of being loving in the midst of all the things that may tug at us throughout the day. It can truly be easy to often feel “imposed upon” when I have something else I am trying to accomplish. You are so right in your words here. Great to visit and read as your neighbor today at #GraceandTruth
Isn’t that right, Pam. Someone needs a favor, and we feel they’re imposing. That’s the Old Betsy right there. That’s why I need to keep my focus on Jesus. #GraceandTruth
When life gets busy and hard it is very good to stay focused on who we are, what God says about us, how hopeful we can be, and hang onto the peace. It is good.
I’m with you, Sharon. Being busy can make us lose our focus faster than nobody’s business!
Betsy, yeah, you nailed me. It’s been a very unexpected couple of weeks. One son needs all (literally) my spare time. And I don’t always give it willingly because it means I”m not getting some of the things I want to get done. That same old warped refrain tries to rule my moments: “It’s all about me (Jeanne) now . . .” There are times when I lose my focus on my to-do’s. And that’s okay as long as I keep my focus on loving God and loving others well. Great post, Betsy!
I understand how you must feel, Jeanne. I’ve had a similar situation with a younger family member this week. I’m right there with you trying to focus on loving God and loving others well.
Thought-provoking post, Betsy. This is exactly what I want to keep in mind…that it’s not all about me and I absolutely must show others Christ’s love.
Lynette
~#8 this wk
Hi there Lynette. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you’ll have many opportunities to show God’s love to others this week.
love.
yes, Betsy.
sure beats multi-tasking, which seems to get only more challenging as we get older.
but that l-word?
I can remember that. By His grace …
I went to a local IF:Gathering this weekend and this is exactly what Jennie Allen was talking about. This needs to be the focus of ALL believers! Sharing on social. Thanks for a great post! <3
Of the truth of this! I remember I’m loved but I need help in showing that love at all times to others.
Thank you for this very important reminder.
xoxo