Distracted or "Oh Look, there's a birdie!"

Yesterday I left the house and sat down at a restaurant to eat a little bit and hang out with God...reading, writing, listening.....the usual.

As I was sitting there I couldn't do much. I felt out-of-sorts. I felt distracted. It was like I was trying to chase a hundred things in my head...but couldn't catch up with any of them.

And so I asked God....."what do you want me to do?"

"Just get out of here. Let's go for a walk. Spend some time listening."

"Ok....I'll go."

I packed up my stuff...I headed out the door.

It was a little chilly yesterday so I decided to go to the mall to walk. I got there and started walking and listening.

"Ok, God...what do you want to say to me? What do you want me to know? Go ahead, lay it on me. I'm ready. "

"Kevin....chill out. When it comes to listening, really listening....you can't be demanding."

And I immediately thought, "Oh...good lesson #1. Listening requires patience. Chill Out Kevin. Wait on God."

So I waited and waited and walked and walked.

I saw some cool shoes on sale for 50% off.
I did my Christian duty to keep pure and avoided the Victoria's Secret store.
My mind wondered.
I passed by a lady that spilled her drink.

"Help her."

"OK"

"Good....thanks for finally saying something God."

I kept walking. Ooooooo....the Apple Store. I can check my email in there.

NO...I can't do that. I'm listening to God. This is God time.

OK....no Apple Store. Keep walking....keep listening.

Maybe if I sit down and close my eyes for a bit.

"God what do you want to say to me? I'm trying to be patient. I really am. But this is just taking too long."

"Kevin you're way too distracted."

And then the question of the day came. "What distracts you?"

And a list of things rushed in......and I felt shame.

I was genuinely ruined for a moment....for all the things that keep me from God every day.

And so I started thinking through my list of distractions and they were numerous. And I thought....the amount of work it takes to really get to a place with no distractions is ridiculous. How will I...how will we...ever get to a consistent place with God with no distractions?

Some people say it's discipline.
Some people say it's a scheduling thing.
Some people say it's just impossible.

Arrrggghhhh! How frustrating!!

And the thing is that I'm one of the lucky ones. I get to set my own schedule. The majority of people in this life, don't. How will they get away from the noise? If I can't find it...then....????
The only way I can fathom is that we start finding ways in the MIDDLE of the noise...in the middle of distractions OR....we could just go back to monasticism.

BIG Q: How can we get to that 'no-distractions' place in the MIDDLE of the noise?

Any body have any ideas?