NOT ALL THERE

And do this, knowing the time,

that now it is high time to awake

out of sleep; for now our salvation

is nearer than when we first believed.

Romans 13:11

Looking back some time ago, I can recall thinking at times about someone who didn't seem to be in the present. They may have appeared to be rather odd. After that person walked away, those involved would often point our index fingers to the side of our heads, indicating the person just wasn't thinking right.

I don't know the last time I saw anyone portray that indicator but being “all there” doesn't necessarily refer to ones lack of sense. I have thought of boring staff meetings, dry sermons in the past, listening to tales of events I've heard over and over...all things that tend to throw me into never, never land. There are just times, I'm not with whatever is being said and my mind drifts off toward other things more interesting.

There are times, when I'm not all there even in spiritual situations. As an elementary girl, Wednesday nights at church were rough. It was usually more of a prayer meeting and I dreaded one lady who always prayed. Her prayers were always very long. She was the dearest lady you would ever want to meet and we called her Aunt Sue {not her usual name}. You name it and it got prayed for and as a kid, my mind went elsewhere.

We don't have to be kids to mentally wander with respect to spiritual things. While reading our Bibles, our minds can stray to most anything that has nothing to do with the Scripture passage we are reading. A pastor can preach his very best sermon or teacher her best lesson and we can find ourselves just not all there. As best as I can tell, Jesus gave folks His undivided attention in very caring ways. I don't want to insult God by thinking about my next ham sandwich...He and others deserve my full attention.

Father, help me to be alert, attentive and considerate not just of others in being with them in the present, but most of all, to render to you my loving attention when with You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen