The Rev. Canon Anne E. Kitch
Canon for Ministry Formation and Transitions
Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless;
give me life in your ways.
Psalm 119:37
“Mom, I forgot to turn off the TV, can you get it for me,” my daughter calls over her shoulder as she heads out the door for a rehearsal. For a moment I think about watching it myself. I have at least a half an hour before anyone else is home, I have worked hard today, and I deserve a break. But then I hear in my friend’s voice reminding me that mindless television binging is like the junk food of self-care.
I can be captivated by many things that do me no good—like the aisles in the convenience store. It can be difficult for me just to stop in to pick up the one thing I need without scanning the shelves succumbing to the colors, deals, and possibilities. Social media can lure me into clicking my way farther and farther from my purpose, and even my prayer time can devolve into wandering thoughts leading me astray.
Along any way there are distractions. Even John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness reminds us that he is not the one we are looking for. To be on God’s way means not only to pay attention, but also to be intentional about where our devotion is placed.