HOW TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SIGNPOSTS IN YOUR LIFE

Are you ready to start your week with purpose and intentionality, and maybe slow down a little and look for signposts on the way?  I hope today’s #MindfulMonday post encourages you on the journey.

I know I write and talk a lot about walks, journeys, paths…both literal and figurative.  We are meeting here AT THE CROSSROADS, so I suppose it kind of makes sense, right?

Anyway, I have the privilege of living near a beautiful national park system.  I confess I do not take advantage of it as much as I would like to, but I have some favorite paths and walks that I hike over and over again.  My kids have a few that they like too, so a few years ago when they had a day off from school, I took three of them (with our dog of course!) over to one of our favorite spots for an invigorating hike.  It was a beautiful late fall day with cool crisp air, crackling leaves underfoot and the gurgling sound of the swollen river.  Picturesque and peaceful…well, sort of.

I have told you before that I like to pray, reflect, and clear my head when I walk…and I do…unless I’m with my kids who run, jump, throw things, bicker, go off the path, race, and complain about being tired or thirsty…I think you understand. Not a lot of meditating or personal reflecting going on while hiking with them!

At one point my kids went racing ahead to get a glimpse of the river from their favorite ‘bent” tree.  Straggling behind with the dog, I saw something out of the corner of my eye, but hurried by trying to catch up to them.  When I saw that they had stopped, I turned my attention back to what I had missed and this is what I found:

Pretty cool…and I almost raced right past it.  Concerned about catching up with my kids, finishing the walk, and moving on with the day.

So, that got me thinking…how many times do I rush through my to-do list, bustling on to the next thing, and completely miss the signposts that God has put right on my path?  Too often, I must admit.

Sometimes I am stressed about how fast I’m going, other times I’m too focused on what lies ahead, and still other times I’m distracted by the roadblocks.

Yet, God, sweetly and gently, is there…reminding me of His presence, His peace, His grace, and His love by providing divine signposts along the way if I am willing to pay attention.

Maybe it’s child’s laugh, a beautiful moonlight night, the embrace of a friend, a warm cup of coffee, a smile from stranger…or even a wooden stick cross against a tree.

So what can we do to pay attention to those divine signposts that God places on our path?

SLOW DOWN

I am probably the last person to give advice in this area.  My husband always says I have two speeds: full throttle and comatose sleep.  I have a hard time pacing myself and it causes me to rush right past those signposts.   Building margin into our lives is key to slowing down.  These are some simple reminders that I use:  Don’t overbook your schedule.  Be realistic about what you can accomplish.  Take some things off your to-do list.  Be okay with not doing something every single minute your eyes are open.  Give yourself permission to shift into a slower gear.  Putting these simple guidelines into practice will guarantee you will see and hear so much more.

SEE INTERRUPTIONS AS DIVINE APPOINTMENTS

I heard this phrase several years ago and it has always stuck with me.  As a young mom, it drove me crazy when my kids interrupted me.  And it seems it is all they ever did!  While I was on the phone, while I was cleaning the house, when I was cooking dinner, or while I was just trying to talk to my husband.  Kids really do not understand the concept of waiting.  And now that they are teenagers, it really has not changed too much.  Here’s there thing, though.  Every time we do not stop and attend to what they saying, asking, or sharing, we may be missing huge opportunities to connect.  We may be missing the signposts in their lives.  So put down the phone, get off the computer, and stop hurrying them onto the next thing.  When our kids, other people, or even annoying situations interrupt us, let us change our perspective and view these as opportunities to speak truth, love, and grace.

SEEK SOLITUDE

Are you uncomfortable with being quiet?  Being alone?  Do you feel guilty when you have nothing planned or scheduled?  Do you fill these gaps with meaningless activities?  I have a suggestion for all of us.  When we find ourselves alone with nothing to do (for some of us this is a rare occasion!), let’s be intentional about using that time to seek God, be still, and wait on Him.  That may look different for each individual.  Maybe it is taking a scenic ride in the car, hiking alone, sitting and listening to music, journaling at a coffee shop, or reading your Bible in a place free of distractions.  It doesn’t have to be a long time; I find that being alone and intentionally listening for 15-20 minutes a day is all that it takes to help me refocus and see things I may have missed along the way.

God promises that when we earnestly seek Him we will find Him.

“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.  ‘Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.'”

Jeremiah 29:13 (The Message)

He’s there with us, friends…don’t miss the seemingly small ways He is trying to let you know that.    Let’s challenge ourselves on this #MindfulMonday to diligently seek out those divine signposts and encourage each other by sharing what we find.  I look forward to hearing from you this week!