The sky showed pink swooshes peaking over the eastern treetops. Wild birds chattered and the chickens echoed with crows and caws. Our two cats met me on the top step, ready for early morning scratches. And Amos, our small dog, raced around the yard trailing scents in every direction. It was a beautiful morning for a walk around the front field.
Even though the dewy grass quickly soaked through my shoes making my socks squish when I stepped, I overlooked the small inconvenience, determined to enjoy my walk. The dog leaped through the tall grass and bounded through thickets on either side of the wooded path. He’d run ahead and then come back and find me before streaking out in another direction. The movement was just enough to get my joints moving and the weather was perfect.
Until the yellow flies found me. They rushed me like hounds on a coon—circling and buzzing, trapping me in their orbit. I waved my hand frantically next to each ear, behind my head, and in front of my face. I lost sight of the enchanting horizon and went into full fight-the-bugs-mode. Instead of keeping a steady, straight gait, I weaved back and forth on the path, completely distracted by those daggum yellow flies.
The longer I flapped, the more I noticed the squishiness in my shoes. And the more I noticed the taller grass touching my ankles. I couldn’t wait until the end of the trail.
And just like those yellow flies swarmed me in my moment of peace, distractions swarm in and steal our peace. We make intentional steps toward healthy habits, and suddenly we’re swarmed with stress and overwhelm. Our schedule lightens and we add rest and relaxing activities, then everything goes awry creating haphazard deadlines and unanticipated responsibilities. And we finally take time for a vacation or family time, and there’s a serious health scare or unplanned loss that switches our directions in an instant. Those daggum yellow flies just won’t leave us alone.
The enemy of God loves yellow flies. He sends them swarming at just the right time. We lose sight of hope. We only see the problems. We lose heart.
If he can distract us, he can thwart our kingdom assignments. We will end up flapping and swatting, not seeking and following.
Are you distracted by those daggum yellow flies?
What things of beauty are you missing as a result?