Now son look at me in the eye when you’re talking to me

. And 3….2….1…. and his eyes are gone again. Looking at the wall looking at the TV looking at his shoes looking anywhere but my eyes. And it’s not just him but it’s all children for the most part. As parents and even just as adults we require our children to look at us to give us their attention or focus their respect while were speaking to them and when we don’t get it we don’t like that.

It’s something about the connection that we get that sense of paying attention and understanding when someone looks in our eyes while we speak to them. It says I’m listening I hear you and I understand what you’re saying it often gives us a sense that what we’re saying is going to be receptive and followed.

I give teachers all the credit in the world for being able to handle 20+ students on a day-to-day basis. Gaining their attention keeping the focus ahead looking at her or him. For me getting the attention of one is hard enough but a room full of 20 is like herding cats.

When I try to get my children’s attention and get them to focus on me it’s typically in those moments that I have something really important to share with them. A life lesson or a correction or a discipline even A kind word of love. Often those of the times I find it hard to gain attention and focus from them. If this is how I feel I can only imagine how my heavenly father feels about the lack of focus and attention that I keep on him.

Paul said this

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ NASB)

No wonder my children have a hard time with this look at the example I am setting. My eyes are constantly wondering looking at other things that work at my bank account at chores list of things to do. Often giving my attention and focus to the day today activities of life.

When I should be fixing my eyes on Jesus. Keeping them focused straightahead not looking at the ground or at the sky or to the right or to the left. Straight ahead on the one who told me not to worry on the one who told me he would meet my needs on the one who went to the cross to die for me. The one who gives me unconditional love and grace and mercy. The one who stands before God justifying me day and night interceding on my behalf.

Every day there are life lessons there are things that God wants me to learn he is trying to shape me and mold me like a good teacher. There is a reason the disciples call Jesus Rabbi. He was their teacher he is my teacher and a lot of times I feel like I am not getting a passing grade. Jesus wants me to focus on him so I can be more like him and as a father and a husband I strongly desired to model Christ’s love to my family. But in order to be like the teacher I need to be looking at the teacher.

Jesus please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Show me what it means to be more like you. Help me to overcome my spiritual ADD. Help to make my path straight and keep looking straight ahead on you. Lord let me remember that the date today activities of this life are temporal but that raising my children to know you and to love you is eternal. That modeling your love for my wife and kids has long-lasting effects. Let me not look to the right or to the left or up or down but it Christ the author and perfector of our faith.

Amen