Walking into the park, a vast expanse of grass unfolds before me. Dotting the landscape are simple, white canvas tents, with cannon and horses on the hillside. Campfires smolder, the smell of smoke heavy in the air. Joy welled up inside me. Happiness is a Civil War Encampment.
My husband held back a bit, walking in my wake. He’s not a history buff, but he likes the blacksmith thing and the cannons, so he agreed to come with me. We visited with the soldiers and I spoke to some lovely teenagers in hoopskirts. I was having a great time. Turning to leave, I saw some reenactors giving a talk under one of the large tarps. Yay! History lesson!
“General Lee” was talking about war strategy. He explained that the North needed access to the Mississippi River for supply travel, but the South had a chokehold on the riverbanks. He decided to order one of his regiments to saddle up and ride through Louisiana.
Just ride. They were not to engage the enemy. No fighting. He figured that just the sight of a Yankee regiment on the move would create an effective diversion. He was right. Hundreds of Confederate troops ran to see what the heck was going on in Louisiana. Grant got his port.
I leaned over and whispered to my husband, “This guy’s a GENIUS!” My enthusiasm was met with a thoughtful “Mm-hmm” as my husband scanned the program, looking for the start time of the embalming demo. Maybe he is underwhelmed, but I am in awe.
Actually, the tactic of diversion is as old as the hills.
Ask the parent of a toddler, or especially a magician. “Look over here!” And I do, and I’m faked out of my socks.
So simple. So effective.
Unfortunately, this happens in my life too. I’m on the right path and defending my post. Prayer life? Check. Eating habits? Check. Negative emotions? Check.
But then someone lets the horses out, and there I am, running after them, trying to get a better look.
Sitting in front of the TV, I am too tired to move.
Goodbye night prayer.
That cupcake looks amazing!
Goodbye diet.
A car cuts me off in traffic.
Goodbye patience
.
These life events don’t make earsplitting noise; there are no cannons, no rifles. But like the army of the South, they are just enough to make me abandon my post.
The thundering hooves of distraction turn my head and I am abandoning my path.
It’s miles before I stop and wonder: “How did I get here?”
So simple. So effective.
The war talk is over. Exiting the tent, I realize that I learned more than a history lesson today.
The frantic activities designed to lead me away from the Lord will keep coming. I’ve got to be alert and pay no attention to the meaningless commotion. I know where I need to be. And I don’t want to be distracted.
Linking with A Little R and R Wednesdays
Linking with A Little R and R Wednesdays
Linking with
Word Filled Wednesday
Linking with
Wednesdays Prayer Girls
Linking with
Into the Word Wednesday
Great post. I do appreciate your analogy. Definitely something to think about today. I am your newest follower. Looking forward to reading more…
Hi Deb! Thank you for coming over and joining the blog! I am glad you liked the post, it is good food for thought
So happy that we will get to know each other better!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Wow Ceil, let me just say, “Ouch!” And I mean ouch in a good way! What a very important thing to remember. I am thankful you were able to listen to the history lesson because the Lord had more in store with the teaching and you were able to share it with us. Your posts are always a blessing to me, but this was was an extra special blessing
Thank you, dear friend. And thank you for your precious kindness.
Love and hugs!
Hi Stephanie! Well, if it’s in a good way, then it’s ok! I love history, but I never expected to have such an insight from war stories! God truly is everywhere.
Thank you for your lovely comment, you are always a blessing to me…one of my first followers, and always being so uplifting. I am so thankful that we are blog-friends!
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Oh, yes, distraction…so easy to be lulled by it. So easy to promise myself that ‘I’ll do that later’. I know it well!
Hi Elizabeth! I’m glad that I am not the only one! And sadly, sometimes ‘later’ never comes for me.
But knowing about it is half the battle, so on we go!
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Loved the analogy of distraction! I hadn’t thought of it like that before =) P.S. I’m a history nerd myself, so I would’ve loved this outing!
Hi Natalie! Good to see you again!
Let’s hear it for history nerds! Yay! I wish you could have come, it was so much fun. And…we would learn all about distraction too. So glad you came by, and commented too.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Oh Ceil,
This is such a perfect example of the enemy’s tactic of distraction. Thank you for putting skin on it.
Blessings,
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
Hi Laura! So fun to meet you through the bloghop!
Thank you for your encouraging comment, that is so kind of you. I left you a message on your blog, and am happy to follow you now
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Hi Ceil
I don’t think praying should be a thing that we feel guilty of not doing, dear friend. Some days I cannot even think two thoughts in a row because of Fibrofog and our Pappa knows. When you are to tired to pray at night, I am sure a heartfelt “Goodnight, Pappa, to tired to talk much. Love you so much and please look after us tonight”, is a great prayer!
Lots of love XX
Mia
Hi Mia! You bring up an excellent point. Some people who have trouble sleeping would find tiredness/rest a blessing. Some who couldn’t afford a cupcake would see that opportunity as a blessing. These are my distractions, but for others, they can be a blessing.
One woman’s distraction is another woman’s blessing. Great thought! Thank you!
Your heartfelt “Goodnight Pappa” is beautiful. And God honors that prayer and loves you for it
We all struggle with limitations. The Father who knows all about them just wants to be included. And you are doing that so well.
You always have such wonderful comments, Mia. It’s a joy to see you!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
it i s amazing that how we got to learn God’s ways in our life through other things. It makes easier to understand aboout life when we comparing this and this.
Ah you must had fun with your husband.
Such a good reminder for me to alert myself too and God is always there.
Blessing,
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! It is wonderful that God can show us so much about ourselves in our day. I never expected to learn about a Spiritual thing at a war encampment! God is very good.
It was fun
Blessings to you,
Ceil
This is too funny!! Me and my mom in law Roxy were just talking about the distractions in our daily activities just the other day. We can be going along doing everything we are suppose to be doing and then loan be hold, we see something and we veer off the road. Why is that?! I love all the History stuff too, that was one of my favorite subjects in school. And my boys love it too, cuz of all the guns and fighting!! Go figure! I AM so thankful God takes ahold of my hand and walks me in the direction I need to go, because I really hate being lost!
Take Care my dear friend!
Blessings,
Amy
Hi Amy! Another history geek! I love it
I think getting distracted is just completely human and completely mystifying, as you mentioned. I don’t want to be distracted…take my eyes off for a minute, and off the track I go.
God is so good, and he is helping you! He is helping me too, and that’s why I don’t give in to despair. I’ll just start again.
Always good to see you, my blog-friend!
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Stopping by from R&R.
Great analogy! I’m so glad the Lord patiently reminds us to pay attention and get back to our post, and forgives us when we’ve wandered off. Thanks for sharing! Linda @ The Hopeful Home Spot
Hi Linda! Thank you for coming by to visit, and make a comment. It is wonderful that we are always welcome, and the Lord always leads us back. Thank goodness for that!
I hope you will come here often, it would be nice to get to know you
Ceil
Hi Ceil, I just wrote you on my blog comments, but wanted to write you after reading your post on distraction, too. I was in the middle of cleaning & stopped to reply to comments & read the blog hops… so I am doing the very thing you wrote on, I suppose!!! What a good reminder to be focused on what’s at hand. I love meeting you today, me in the south and you in the midwest! So cool. And thank you Ceil for posting my Wednesday’s Prayer Girls & Link up Party button on your post. I really really appreciate that. Love to you, & hope to see you each Wednesday! Love, Juana
Hi Juana! It was fun to be a part of your bloghop today! And what a generous invitation to join you. Thank you for your welcoming comments.
You are very kind to visit all the blogs on your hop, you are going to be very busy tonight
So nice to meet you!
Ceil
Oh, this post is convicting to me today, Ceil. I’ve been easily distracted this week with preparations for vacation, etc. I want to walk closely with the Lord and keep my focus on Him! Thanks for sharing!
Jen
Hi Jen! So good to have met you!
Vacation! Yay! Enjoy your time off, be safe and have lots of r and r! The Lord will help you come to him because you want that, so I know you’ll be fine. He loves you so much.
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
I LOVED this! We use the word “distraction” for code at our house. When someone says “DISTRACTION” loudly and with raised eyebrows,it means that person is in need of prayer – lol! Seriously. You are right on target with this one Ceil.
Hi Nan! What a fabulous idea! I have never heard of that, and I bet it works too. I wish I knew about it when I was raising my kids. Now I’ll have to use it on myself. ALOT! LOL!
Always so good to see you, my friend
Ceil
Ha! This is so on target! I have always been a woman of passion, darting off in one direction or another with all my energy, happiness and joy. Just as soon as something else comes along that grabs my attention, I am off in another direction. LOL! The only areas where this hasn’t applies are my husband, my children and holding out through all eight years of schooling (undergraduate and graduate). When I ask for God’s help to commit to something, I can remain incredibly tunnel visioned and committed, but I have to remember to ask for that help. When I look at my beautiful, blessed life today I can see that it can. Thanks for this!
Hi Anne! I seriously think we are twins. You describe me to a tee when you describe yourself.
Do you ever think of St. Paul, and how tunnel-visioned he was before he was struck blind? I hope God will use me powerfully like he used that passion. I bet he is using you in great ways!
So good to see you here!
Ceil
Thank you so much. I absolutely think of St. Paul! I am sure that God is using you in wonderful ways, too. I know that He is on your blog, for sure!
Appreciate your honesty.
Hi Denise! Thank you for coming by today
Might as well be honest, right? I have miles to go before I sleep!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
Thank you for visiting my blog. It is nice to meet you. Your blog is precious, and your writing very good. Love the analogy of war tactics and distraction. It is something I am applying even as we speak, as I am working through something, and feel very blessed to read your post.
Blessings,
Pam
Hi Pam! It was fun to visit your blog today! I am so happy you stopped by and made a comment, thank you
I will pray that whatever your challenges are, you are able to overcome them. With God on your side, you will, I am sure of it.
I hope we will get to know each other better in the future!
Ceil
I’m a history buff too and I loved reading this. Great post (and title too)!
Hi Angel! So good to see you again!
I am happy to meet another history lover
So glad you liked it, and you are the only one to mention that you liked the title. I did too. LOL! Maybe only history nuts can appreciate it?
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ceil
Ah, yes. The buzzing “flies” of distraction. You know, the enemy is almost more effective with the little day-to-day darts of distraction than he is with the big bombs. I often don’t recognize the *attacks* when they feel like everyday stuff.
Anything and everything that can be used to divert our focus off of the Lord and His purposes will be used.
Praying to be more on the alert!
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! Thank you for coming by, and joining my blog! I joined yours too. I like your blog, it’s such a comfortable place to be.
So true that anything can lure us away, gotta stay vigilant!
Have a blessed weekend!
Ceil