It’s said that to a child, love is spelled T-I-M-E. What means the most—and often the greatest gift we can give—is not another toy but simply our time and attention.

How a child’s eyes light up when we sit close and read a book together—or take the time to watch and listen while they show us yet another thing! Children need love, and crave attention.

In Scripture God calls us His “little children,” not His “little adults.” He made us to need each other—to be interdependent rather than independent.

Yet for many people today, time is a rare and precious commodity. With our endless to-do lists, continual activity, and quick bites of information flying from all directions into our ears and on our screens, we’re often left feeling unfocused,  anxious, and overwhelmed. When it comes to giving to others, we find our tanks on empty.

To counteract this recipe for isolation and loneliness, first and foremost let’s make sure we spend time in His presence daily. Here, we quiet and refresh our hearts with His love, His peace, and His perspective.

When we’re with others, let’s give more presence by being attentive and present in the moment.

Let’s seek to share His presence in all that we do! Take a moment to engage with someone in the checkout line; pay a short visit or call an elderly neighbor; listen attentively while someone is talking to us; send a quick text to say ‘I’m thinking of you.’

Small acts of kindness can not only display the Father’s love but brighten someone’s day–even change lives.

At Christmastime, we remember that God’s greatest gift to us was His Son. Our gift to the world is to show Jesus to all we interact with.

So this holiday season, let’s seek to give more presence (not presents!) to those around us each day–and like little children, enjoy the gift of T-I-M-E with others.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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On Tuesday, April 28, the Supreme Court of the United States begins hearing oral arguments for and against redefining marriage in America.

Simply put, God’s design and institution of marriage as solely between one man and one woman is on trial.

The American Family Association (AFA) says:

As hard as it is to believe, nine people will decide if our nation will honor God and obey Him, or turn its back on the most fundamental building block of society and on God himself.

It’s no coincidence that this week also marks America’s National Day of Repentance, leading up to the 64th annual National Day of Prayer on May 7.

Additionally, many Christians in Australia are dedicating April 30 – May 6 to pray specifically for the United States.

I urge everyone to pray for our nation this week. To help, here is a link to the AFA’s Prayers For U.S. – April 2015. 

In many ways, this will be the most important decision in the history of America.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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Recently while driving on the interstate, I noticed the car behind me gently swerving over the lines as it drew closer. My rearview mirror revealed a woman putting on lipstick while driving. As I carefully maneuvered into the neighboring lane to let her pass, my mind turned to how quickly distracted driving can turn bad—even fatal.

Distractions can also prove damaging to our relationship with God. I’ve grown to love the ease of reading the Bible in the mornings on my iPad. But if not attentive, I can quickly find myself reading emails, clicking on an article, or checking Facebook.

All around us things are vying for our attention—tugging to pull the center of our hearts away from God and His presence, and on to other things. While many distractions are fleeting and harmless, others can rock our world and change the path we’re on.

In Psalm 73, we find Asaph questioning God about the prosperity of the wicked, among other things. As he focuses more and more on the world around him he becomes increasingly distressed and miserable. In verse 21 he says:

Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. 

Finally, as Asaph returns his attention to God, he says:

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. (Psalm 73:17, 25-26)

Most of us need God’s help in dealing with distractions and keeping priorities in check. When unfocused thoughts flow freely, how easy to become anxious and lose our peace in God.

Many distractions and anxieties vanish in the light of God’s presence. We realize we’re not alone. We have a high priest and Lord who understands our weaknesses. We need only turn to Him.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Problems lose their grip as we draw near to the Lord, giving Him first place in our hearts. He gives grace to help in our time of need.

In His presence we find rest to our souls. (Exodus 33:14)

What distractions do you contend with that try to pull you away from God?

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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American Christian evangelist Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) recently posted an urgent call to prayer for our country. In her blog she wrote:

“As you may know, my husband is in declining health. I am no longer traveling and speaking as much as I have for the last 26 years since I am staying home to care for him. As a result, I have had time to be quiet and listen more to the whispers of the Spirit. He has revealed things to me in the stillness that I’m not sure I would have heard in my former busyness.”

Her words struck me—as she’s had more time to be quiet, she finds the Holy Spirit revealing things to her. Have you experienced similarly?

For many people, quietness remains a rare commodity. We live in the frenzy of busyness. And the busier we get with all our “stuff”—work, kids, meetings, meals, exercise, chores, even ministry service—it seems the less time we spend with the One who helps us most.

The sad irony is that if we only keep our priorities straight, we will do less, but accomplish far more.

Jesus reminds us of this in His advice to Martha in Luke 10:38-42:

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The women no doubt wanted to serve Jesus a nice dinner during His visit. Sure there was work to be done. But Jesus reminded them of a greater priority—the benefit of sitting at the Lord’s feet—of spending time with Him.

The time we take to sit in the Lord’s presence, to open our hearts to Him, pays its greatest dividend in the peace we carry with us throughout the day—the peace necessary to hear His voice. 

In our drive to be productive, let’s remember the thing most worth being concerned about: spending time with the Lord … resting in, and enjoying His presence throughout our busy days.

Copyright © 2014 Cheryl Elton

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