As I sat in church tonight, I watched my son play with his shoes, his burp rag, the lid to his box o' snacks, and my pen. Obviously, I was really paying close attention to the message. I am not sure if that reflects on the message or my inability to focus on what I meant to focus on. The question here is...how come we only get distracted by the things to which we don't intend to pay attention? Don't get me wrong. I am fascinated by the things that are fascinating to my 9-month old son and I don't see anything wrong with getting lost in his world with him. However, my issue is with those things that distract us from our goals and take us away from our mission - no matter the size of the task. At this point, I am sure you are saying that those things which distract us wouldn't be distractions if we ended up focusing on them. Obviously, that's why they are called distractions. But, we always are led "off-track" by distractions. Whether we are passing notes in class or gaping at a fender bender on the freeway, it is never good to be distracted. Or is it?

I would love to be distracted back "on-track". We are so easliy distracted these days that I think it might be advantageous to be distracted by the things to which we should devote more of our time. Have you ever been distracted by something more important that what you are doing? Have you ever been distracted by the call of God, the homeless man on the street, the starving children of the world, the AIDS infected village, the bullied kid at school, the single mom...

This list continues for an eternity, but the only distractions that seem to catch our attention are the long lines at the grocery store, the annoying cell phones, the inconsiderate drivers, the department stores that don't carry just what we want, the broken dishwashers, the stains in our newly tailored suits...

In the battle over our time, I hope that you are distracted back "on-track."

Xanga

This is my first post. Uhhhh....Can't take the pressure! Must think of something witty to amaze and astonish millions of adoring fans and readers! DOH!

Glad to have that out of the way. Well, I feel like writing. So, why not here on xanga.com. Besides, it saves the trouble of actual pencil and paper. I have been reading lately that xanga.com and myspace.com are the new, trendy ways to communicate with the world. I guess I have joined a growing market of pop culture. It really is spooky and, at the same time, refreshing that people are willing to share so much information. My guess is that they really wouldn't just share all of it with just anyone face-to-face. Here, however, while remaining almost invisible, they are willing to share those same things with the whole world. Ironic? Maybe if we all stayed home at our computers the world would be a more open and honest place. Pass the lemonade and the appropriately squeaky rocking chair on the front porch that overlooks the fading sunset on a warm summer night. 

Having been so philosophical and close to poetry as I can be, I better quit while I am ahead.

jb