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Sunday was my rotation in the Toddler Room. I serve every other week. Here are some facts that I learned yesterday:

  • Nonnie has 2 dogs – Skip & Bella
  • when said dogs are taken for a walk, they walk in the street as there are no sidewalks
  • middle name is Lucy
  • birthday cake had a Mickey Mouse on it
  • children can eat their “fishies” in many positions other than sitting on a chair – hopping, jumping, kneeling & like Cookie Monster (all without choking!!! for which I am most grateful)
  • infants fully find toddlers amusing
  • ahgieniao heroi  oehoej goeno gro kpen

What? You didn’t understand the last bullet point? Neither did I when it was told to me. But to that toddler, it didn’t matter. They fully thought that I knew what they said, were happy to share the statement with me, they laughed hysterical as they thought it was something funny.

It was then that a repeating thought returned to me again……

It started on vacation a few weeks ago. At Disney, where every parent LOVES to take their kids – parents are on their cell phones. On lines, in restaurants, on rides, yes – even in the bathrooms. One would think that while on vacation, with their children, parents would set other distractions aside & enjoy their children & families. Yet divided attention seems to be more common than ever. And then it hit me –

If we are going to be with someone, be fully engaged.

Children know.

Our spouses know.

Our friends know.

We each know when we truly do not have someone’s full attention.

No better example is given us than of God Himself – who gives us His undivided attention. Throughout the Psalms, we see the words, “I called” & “He heard”. We pray with an expectancy of God’s attention. I love this verse:

“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.”            (Malachi 3:16 NIV).

The people were talking with each other & yet the Lord paid attention to all that they were saying. It mattered to Him that His people were talking. It was important to Him to hear what was being said. He was fully engaged.

May we remember that being in close proximity physically does not constitute relationship. Being physically in the same room, at the same table, in the same house is not the same as being fully engaged.

Dictionary.com defines “engaged” as being deeply busy or occupied or involved with.

If you are going to be there, be fully engaged.

You may be surprised what you will learn. You may be surprised at how relationships improve. You may be surprised at how important others will become to you.

And you may be surprised at the JOY you will find!

Thank you, Cameron & Juliana & Jocelyn for sharing with me in KCC!