This morning after I dropped Mike off I drove to a coffee shop and then found a store to bide some time. I decided I needed to be distracted for a while. I did not walk around long before I realized that I was anxious and pretending to be busy was not helping. As soon as I thought, I need a distraction, I thought about what I wrote yesterday! (I am a slow learner some time!) My exact words were, "When we trust God when life is hard, we go to Him. In obedience, we go to His Word and trust Him with the rest." I had gone to a store! Why was I looking for a distraction? I was not going to have peace until I went to God. I got in my car and went back to the hotel. I went to my room and only answered my phone when the hospital called.
I spent time in the presence of God and I quoted Scriptures like 1 Peter 5: 7, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." And Hebrews 13: 5, "For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” After a while, I was so relaxed I almost took a nap! When I went to God, He gave me the peace that only He can give! Philippians 4: 7, "...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
What is a distraction? Google defines a distraction as "a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else." That sounds about right! I was staying busy to scatter my thoughts, shift my focus, not be in the present (or the Presence) and it was preventing me from giving my full attention to God, the One I needed the most! Social media and smart phones are not the beginning of distractions. In Luke we learn that Martha was distracted by preparations that needed to be made for her company. Luke 10: 40, "But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.'” I have to feel bad for Martha because she knew Jesus and the disciples would be hungry - somebody had to fix dinner! But her distraction kept her from paying attention to Jesus! Luke 10: 41-42, "And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.'”
I had been told that I could stay with Mike tonight but he is staying in the PACU which looks like the ER with a curtain instead of a door and no sink or bathroom. So I am at a hotel tonight by myself for the first time ever. I got a little anxious walking here tonight and then I started quoting, Philippians 4: 6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Deuteronomy 31: 8, "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." And you know the rest I have a peace that passes all understanding! And I am not alone in this hotel room tonight - thanks be to God! Good night and thanks for all of your prayers today!