The Practice of Paying Attention

Lately, I’ve been paying closer attention to… well, my attention.

Not just where I want it to go, but where it actually lands—hour by hour, moment by moment. Because what captures our attention doesn’t just occupy our time—it slowly shapes who we become.

Our spiritual lives aren’t only built on what we believe. They’re formed by what we consistently notice.

The things that fill our minds—social media, to-do lists, other people’s expectations, everyday anxieties—can either draw us deeper into purpose or quietly pull us away from it.

Over the years, both in ministry and coaching, I’ve seen something over and over: Deep growth doesn’t usually come from dramatic change. It comes from small, daily decisions—especially about where we place our attention.

So lately, I’ve been asking:

• What actually deserves more of my attention that I’ve been overlooking?

• And what’s been consuming my focus that really matters far less than I’ve allowed?

There’s something sacred about the way children pay attention. They don’t just glance at puddles—they study them. They notice the ripples, the reflections. And then, joyfully, they jump in with both feet.

Their attention isn’t fractured or strategic—it’s full and honest.

Somewhere along the way, many of us traded that wonder-filled focus for scattered, distracted minds. But the quiet practice of watching where my attention goes? It’s starting to change me.

I’m catching myself before the mindless scroll. Actually listening instead of planning my next reply. Looking for God—and finding Him—in the ordinary.

Because attention is never neutral. It’s always an offering.

And what we give it to reveals not just how we spend our time, but where we invest our hearts. 💕