“Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! NOISE!” (The Grinch) Does anyone else feel this, too? Maybe it’s holiday noise coming at you, work noise, family noise, or, if you are like me, barking beagle noise! 😆 Not all noise is bad. I love my beagle’s noisy play, but I also know there are times I need quiet. 

Noise can be fun, but it can also be distracting. Today I was with both of my dogs in the living room, they were playing on the couch, and I was sitting at the kitchen table nearby with my bible out. I thought they each had a toy and would be content for a while, giving me a moment to sit with a few verses. If you are a parent (dog or child) you probably know where this is going! I swear, as soon as I turned to the page I wanted to dive into today, my beagle realized his brother had ‘his’ toy. Well, to say it got a little loud and crazy is putting it lightly. They both play really well together, no one has been hurt (knock on wood), but put a loud beagle together with a high-energy GSP puppy (German Shorthaired Pointer) and it is slightly distracting!

I went to settle them down, of course, and realized I have to be intentional today in my time with God. So, I took them outside for a bit to get some energy out, and then put them in their rooms (yes, like children!) to rest. Then I was able to focus on my verses. While I would love to sit down and read with them in the room, I know there are days when I need to pull away from them to focus on what’s important, my relationship with God. I know I will be more patient and loving to them both after I have connected with my Father. 

Psalm 46:10 reminds us to ‘be still,’ which includes turning off distractions or literally finding space in a room to be alone with your Father. I’m realizing today that it may look different from day to day, but the most important thing is for me to slow down, quiet the noise around me, and center myself on God. 

See ya in the next post, with

✝️Lots of Faith & Lil’ Bit of Fur 🐾