May. 21, 2018

Your Undivided Attention

Your undivided attention!

Good morning from the farm. My heart is just torn to pieces. It seems like every time I turn around I get met with grieving news.
Yesterday some very special people in my life received news of a great loss of a family member and my heart just aches for them. Please remember how valuable and short life truly is.

Through out my life I have been very blessed to have met some wonderful people.
Today as I sit in the Dr. Office waiting for my mother in law I started talking to several other patients, (I know a big stretch for me since I am so bashful, 😂) as I was was talking to one lady she mentioned she took care of a lady and called her by name. I smiled and thought what an awesome God we have. Today, I would get an answer to a question that so many times have crossed my mind. You see about two years ago I met an elderly woman in the parking lot at Walmart. I often wondered what happened to her, and today I met the one who is now her caregiver. God is so good to us and like I said I am so blessed to have wonderful friends from all over the country. Sometimes it is hard to understand the trials we have to endure but it is those trials that connect us and allow us to be able to have empathy for one another. If you have not experienced pain and heartache, how can you relate to those around you.
I have had very little and I have had a lot. I have known what it’s like to eat commodities and depend on government assistance. I also have had great the privilege of eating at the finest steak and sea food restaurants around.
I have driven an old beat up Chevy with three bald tires and one that you had to keep a can of fix a flat on stand by just to get back and forth to work. I also have been blessed with riding in brand new luxury automobiles.
I have lived in homes where I had to place plywood over the huge holes in the floors to block out the cold in the winter and the rodents in the summer. I know what it is like for all family members to gather in one room to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
I also have lived in fine homes where I had no need to worry about comfort.
I had moments in my life where I could not afford to go to the dentist when I had multiple teeth abscessed, or go to the Dr when I was sick. I also know what it’s like to go now twice a year for regular check ups for both.
I know what it’s like to wish I had a dollar for a soda but couldn’t scape up 2 cents for a piece of gum. I now am able to go to my own refrigerator and grab one at any given time.
I know what it is like to wear hand me downs and have kids laugh at me for my non brand name clothing. I also have known what it’s like to have designer clothing and to be perfectly honest they wore no better than the knock off brands. Although I have experienced lows and highs in my life, I have learned one thing and that is not to let my circumstances or situations determine who I am. I have learned most people are a like, we all are just searching for that one to give us their undivided attention to listen to their story. Have you given someone your undivided attention lately? You can make the difference by just listening, I mean really listening. Not only with your ears but your eyes. As I look around this waiting room I look and wonder what is their story? Oh believe me the few minutes I have sat here talking to them I have learned so much about each of them. Some are parents, grandparents and some no children, but all have something to say. I am not bragging, but the reason I like to truly look at people in their eyes is that I can always see their face and remember something about them. A few weeks ago I bumped into a lady that had worked at the factory several years ago. As I called her by name, she looked puzzled, she didn’t recognize me until I told her who I was. Then she said how in the world do you remember me? I said I try to make a point to remember everyone. We probably had over 500 people walk in and out of that factory and I do my best to recall their name when I see them. Next time you are out and about look someone in the eye, put down the phone, magazine, or paper and give one your undivided attention. It may just save their life. I read a book one time where a minister went to a homeless shelter, pulled up a chair and asked an elderly gentleman his name and the elderly man started to cry. The minister said, I didn’t mean to make you cry, and the man responded, do you know how long it’s been since anyone cared enough to ask me my name? I will never forget that story. I don’t ever want to be so preoccupied that I will not strike up a conversation with my fellow mankind and give them my undivided attention.
We have a whole world of lost souls dying because no one will give them their undivided attention. Take time today to make a difference in someone’s life. You may find out a little more about yourself when you do.
To my family, children and my friends, if I have ever made you feel as I was not giving my undivided attention, please forgive me. I truly want to do better and give you ever ounce of my attention when we are together. Tomorrow maybe too late and I couldn’t stand the thought of being too occupied to truly hear what you have to say.
This weekend we had special friends visiting and I realized how blessed it is to be able to sit in visit with friends face to face with real conversation. I found myself not picking up my phone or laptop but engaging in real laughter and communication. What a refeshing week end.
In the world of technology we are all too often reaching for the phone to check social media, rather then making bounding relationships that last. After our friends left this weekend, my husband and I have re-evaluated a few things in our life. If we are the body of Christ, why are we not reaching? Why are we hiding in our homes on social media as the world slips into slumber of unreality. I am not saying social media is the main reason behind our worlds current crisis, but I do think it is a major contributing factor. I am promising to limit social media and start socializing face to face. Isn’t it time we give someone our undivided attention?

Until later....... go make some real friends, we don’t need more artificial intelligence we need human contact. We are desensitizing the value of life because of the virtual world.