"Focus."

It's Lia's new favorite word.  And she wields it with much power and precision around here.

Like when Michael is pouring her a bowl of cereal and gets lost in conversation with his other sister.

"Michael, focus!" she tells him.

Or when putting a puzzle together with her daddy who simultaneously is checking some of the latest football scores.

She reminds him not-so-subtly, "Daddy, FOCUS!"

It is certainly a reminder I need all too often these days. 

In a few minutes we will leave for our last Christmas road trip.  Then home again to de-decorate, finish the last bit of preparations for Lily's arrival, begin to seriously pack for China.  And there's also this schooling thing we've got going on too.

In the midst of all that (and really on any given day, not just this particular season of life) it's very easy for me to lose focus and get distracted by the unimportant things.

And I end up like Peter sinking in the water because I have lost sight of Jesus.

There is much joy to be had in this journey even amidst the hardships but it's a battle to maintain it when so many things desire to steal it away.

So today, by His grace, I will heed the wisdom of my pint-size preacher...

...and remember to keep my eyes focused on Him.