Wow...can I become easily distracted by the shiny nickel. Somehow, anytime I get distracted, even by a thought, I find myself chasing the next shiny nickel.
I have to REALLY focus on being focused! This happens with little things like a simple task, to big things like my morning routine.
Each morning, it is my non-negotiable to spend 60 minutes with God and to walk/exercise for at least 30 minutes BEFORE my day gets started. Well intentioned, but often I end up cutting it short for one reason or another. This can be snoozing, a text/email notification, a dog barking, remembering something I need to do - the shiny nickels are everywhere, and without intentional focus on NOT following the thought or distraction, I look up and have no idea how I got there. Kind of like social media. I go on to make a post, and next thing you know, if I am not careful, I am scrolling and going down a rabbit hole of distraction - and it has been 15 minutes by the time I look up! How did that happen - I just went on to post my blog!! LOL
I realized about 30 days ago that I had let my fascination with walking 5.000 steps before breakfast become more important than spending time with God. That if I "got up late (snoozed)," I would cut my time with God and not my exercise. But, I would then spend the day in a state of chaos instead of starting my day with peace and my commitment to God. My 5,000 steps was my new shiny nickel.
What I decided was that no matter what, I would get up and spend my time with God first, and then my steps. For the most part, this has happened, assuming I don't find myself responding to a text or answering a call. When I came across this message by Rick Warren this morning in the Open Doors devotional, it was a great reminder of WHY I need to put God first and stop chasing shiny nickels. Thank you God for always giving me the messages I need to hear. You are my constant reminder of what I need in my life.
What is your shiny nickel?
If you would like a copy of any of the devotionals or books I reference, please send me an email (button below) and I would be happy to send you one. Please reference the title of the post/devotional to ensure I send you the correct devotional/author. See my mission in the "About Me" link.
Always enjoy the content, especially the one on listening. Not my strongest so writing a book; Simply Listen and Serve