Lessons from the beach...

I was privileged to spend some time away with my family on vacation recently. I so appreciate the time to spend with my wife and our children, I am amazed at what they teach me. As we would walk back and forth from the beach each day to our home, I began to realize something. First, children walk slow and they are good with that speed. Lesson: Improve in the practice of slowing.

Second, my kids were often distracted on our walk and my patience would sometimes grow thin. Until I realized that if they kept their eyes on the road towards our home our pace was much faster. But each day presented this challenge. As we walked they would look at the other houses, people, bottle tree, cactus tree, etc. Each day I would remind them to keep their eyes looking forward and to not get distracted, because as they would look around they would drift into the middle of the road into oncoming cars and cyclists. It only took me a handful of days to build the connection to my walk with Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews states, "...since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (12:1-2)

My "ah-ha" moment came in the blistering sun walking home from the ocean. As I watched my kids walk home it reminded me of this passage. Do I get distracted in my faith journey? Are there things in my life that cause me to drift or move me off course? Absolutely! Just as my kids needed to stay focused, how true is it for you and me in our walks to do the same. If you are feeling distracted today check to see where your eyes are focused. Are they on Jesus?

Today I am grateful for my children and how their simple lives can remind me of my walk with our Savior. Today I want to work on being less distracted and more focused on Jesus. I encourage you to do the same. I hope you know Him today.