Awakening the Dead to the Status of Living.
In my opinion, the human need for Attention (not the desire to have the spotlight, but the need to be known, acknowledged and included) is the single word that incorporates all the other 9 Relational Needs. See the link at the bottom of the page to discover all 10 relational or soul needs defined.
I hope today’s article is short and not accusatory but helpful. The opening picture suggests the question: “What face do those in my life see on me most often?” Do they see an accepting, joyful face or the back of my head as I walk away to another priority higher up on the list than they?
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When we give attention to someone or something we elevate it/him/her to the status of being worth sharing our life and time. That “it” becomes worthy of our investment. It becomes a priority. Based on that simple concept, what do you see our culture elevating to a priority position earning or being given our attention? Are there “dead” or inanimate things that are higher on the list than the living?
Speaking recently with three groups of friends, the subject of “our attention” came up in the easy flow of the conversation. All are engaged full time in their work. Several are legal professionals, Without my guiding the conversations, all came to the same conclusion: We in modern culture elevate dead things to the replacement of living things and give more attention to the inanimate that the living, breathing “near ones” in life.
Do I need to list the dead things which may appear on our priority list? OK, I will….some include smart phones, computers, tv, apps, work, travel, schedules, and money. I know there are more, but you get the idea. I know many of these are essential to our livelihood
Here is all I am asking: Would you join me in a quick reflection of where you spend your time and money (especially your time) to see who or what gets most of your undivided attention? You are a smart person and able to think for yourself. So please do. When you come to a conclusion, share it with someone and also talk about the calendar changes you need to make to make sure your friends, spouse/friend, children, family, Jesus, and others take over the priority positions for your undivided attention.
I am done, but if you want to know how I came to this place, read on.
When our middle child was 4-ish years old, she caught me on the way out the door on a Saturday morning – as I recall – to attend a meeting. This was a pattern not a one-off incident. She asked, “Daddy, where are you going?” I replied, “Well, I am going back to the office this morning.” She immediately said with a downcast expression and perhaps a few tears, “Aw, Daddy, I thought we were going to play.” That did it. I began taking back more nights and intentionally spending more time at home. It took months to make the adjustment, but her broken heart broke mine.
I am not trying to play the part of Holy Spirit for you Christ-followers or the “conscience” of those who aren’t. All I am saying is “you can never prioritize the people in your life too soon. You can do it too late. My guess is that starting now or soon will make a huge difference in your future and theirs.