Do you ever struggle to remain focused? Or get back on track when a shiny (or buzzing) object grabs your attention? Me too. That’s why I’m sharing a few quick tips on how to refocus when your brain does that buzzing thing.

I sat by the lake. I looked at the sky, and as I looked a fly went by . . . 

And so Mike McClintock begins his Seussian children’s book with those simple words. I remember reading this with my own kiddos and watching their excitement as they followed the fly who was chased by a frog who was chased by a cat who was chased by a dog and on and on and on.Sometimes I’m that little child watching the fly. Except in my story there’s no frog or cat or dog. It’s just me chasing a version of me I think might be better, smarter, stronger.

Now there isn’t anything wrong with me chasing dreams and setting goals and kickin’ my silly not-so-little behind into gear to do something productive. It is a problem, though, when that thing — that fly out there flitting about, here and there, elusive, and just out of reach captivates me so completely and utterly that I no longer see the sky. Or the trees. Or my sweet husband sitting across from me at the kitchen table.

That’s where my word for the year comes in. Focus. I’ll have to share more about that later, when I’m not in the midst of a five-minute Friday brainstorm, but for today, let me share one practice that helps me when the fly is buzzing around and distracting me from the here and now.

How to Refocus in the Midst of the Mess

I consider the eagle.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

If I’m in a place where I can pause, then I do something like this:

1. I close my eyes. (I try not to fall asleep unless I really need that 10-minute power nap.)
2. I breathe in and out at least once. Deeply. Maybe twice.
3. I open my eyes and my Bible to read Jude 20-21.
4. I whisper, “Forgive me. I forgot that I am beloved.”
5. Then I give thanks and get back to doing the beautiful thing that is right before me, the thing that serves, loves, brings some light into this dark world.

Yeah, the fly will return. It will do its buzzy little thing, tempting me to turn my focus away from what matters. But the eagle image stays with me. My strength is renewed.

How about you? Do you have a pesky little fly that stops you from believing you are loved just as you are this moment? Do you have any tips on how to refocus?

This post was prompted by the word FLY at Five Minute Friday link-up  where Christian writers encourage each other and share their free writing weekly. I love being part of this community!  Looking for more devotions and reflections on faith? Click here.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash