I Don’t Even Like U2.

The Joshua Tree album has some good songs. And the older I get the more I can appreciate the band U2. I can understand why people like them. But I never seek out their music on my own. 

If “Sunday Bloody Sunday” happens to pop up on a Spotify shuffle I won’t skip immediately. 

And what’s with Bono’s sunglasses? And who got to name their guitarist “The Edge”? Did he pick that? I bet he picked that nickname for himself. I’m not even going to bother to Google it. 

Unlike U2’s music, things have been intense for me lately. Busy. More than normal. I find it hard to find spare minutes to be quiet, pray, reflect, and process. 

But as I was driving recently a U2 song came over the crackling old F150 factory speakers.  I was distracted. I even started . . . . listening. I had a lot on my mind to pray about and process, but I chose something I don’t really even like . . . 

Bono and the boys. 

I did something I normally don’t do. Ever. I reached over and I turned that radio off. 

Silence. 

I felt peace. I rolled the windows down. I started to pray. I felt a weight start to lift. 

So many times as a special needs parent, we face day-to-day struggles that demand our immediate attention. Just the other day Jude ripped off a scab and bled all over the dog bed that she likes to keep in her room. She won’t keep a bandage on so she bled through some pajamas as it healed. 

You can’t make this stuff up. 

We are distracted so often. And I understand why. 

But I’m challenging myself to find pockets of time to fully process my thoughts and feelings - which for me is best done in silence. You can probably even see the wheels turning slowly!

And I’m also going to commit to eliminating some distractions to pray. It’s something I need to do more of. Something I need to put into practice before life and busyness chokes out the remaining minutes. 

And if I can watch Missouri football - outside of all the procedure penalties - beat up on kansas for 4 hours straight then I can certainly make more time for prayer. 

Lord help me carve out time to connect with you. Show me how. My family needs a leader and my kids need a Godly example. Help me seek your face so I can thrive instead of simply surviving. Help me put you first every day. Amen. 

M-I-Z

Psalm 61:1-4 - Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Pslam 62:1-2 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.