Be Present When You Are Present

“Your phone is more important to you than I am!” These words cut like a knife. Why did my daughter feel like my phone was more important to me than she was? I knew in my heart that Alyson was much more of a priority than my phone, but that was not what I was modeling for her. After her outcry, I was forced to look at the truth. When I was talking with her and my phone would vibrate, I would check it. I would randomly pick it up and look at my screen, not knowing how much it hurt her feelings. For a long time I denied that my phone was “that important” to me. But it was. Oh, I justified it. “This is for work”,  I”’m waiting on a message from my mom”, or anything else I thought was a priority. The problem was, I was WITH Alyson, without being with her. I am working to be more intentional with my attention. When I am with someone, I want to be fully present. 

In this age of busyness, the gift of your time to those you love is the most precious gift you can offer them. Don’t let the seemingly urgent distract you from what is truly important.