On doing one thing at a time
The spiritual practice of paying attention
Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly offering to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, and dog. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!
Some days, doing one thing at a time might be the holiest prayer we can offer.
I’ll speak for myself and maybe you can relate. I’m so used to multi-tasking and thinking of three things at once that infrequently I focus on one task at a time. I can be checking my email and social media while cleaning up the kitchen or picking up toys. I can start the laundry while talking on the phone. I can go from one browser to another on the computer. I can listen to a podcast while walking the dog or driving. Even while writing this piece, I can check email or pick up the dishes left from breakfast. Having children in the house means that much of the time I have to multitask. The 3rd grader wants me to help her organize her room while the kindergartener wants me to watch him play Legos. Dinner needs to be made, snacks need to be doled out, and someone wants a book read to them.
There are so many demands for our time. And so much temptation to do it all at the same time.
So perhaps, right now in this season of Lent,
we’re being called to slow down.
To not do all the things.
But rather to do one thing.
To focus.
To pay attention.
What would it look like in your day to give sole focus to washing the dishes? To feel the water on your hands. To give thanks for the people who you feed and for those who provide your food.
What would it look like to gaze on your children as they play? With no phones or thoughts of what’s next, but simply being present. Giving thanks for fresh air. Giving thanks for the energy and excitement of youth.
What would it look like to read a book undistracted? One you can feel and touch and smell. A book that transports you to new places and experiences new ideas. A book that invites you to sit.
Doing one thing at a time can be our prayer. It takes some practice. It takes intentionality.
It takes finding one thing and letting everything else fall away.
Beautiful savior, keep my eyes open to your majesty —
may I look up at the blue sky,
may I feel the gentle tap of water against my feet,
may I recognize the different shades of flowers,
may I notice the crinkle in my children’s noses,
may I delight in misspelled words and drawings of ice cream.
And in every moment, train my heart to give thanks.
Amen. 1
A Few Other Things to Share
I wrote an ode of thanks for our front porch for
. “On this porch, we've opened the door to friends and family. We've looked out to witness the seasons changing. We've carried our children as newborns through the door and posed them for pictures on the first days of school. We've watched hummingbirds feed, children play at the park, and neighbors walk to worship.We've loved. We've laughed. We've cried. We've rejoiced on this porch.
We've become a family here.”
For my monthly column for Living Lutheran, I reflect on gifts and sharing love. “What would it look like for your family to celebrate the gifts of others this month? To truly notice the people in your community, at work and in your church? To not necessarily cheer out loud but go out of your way to thank someone or send a handwritten note?”
What I’ve Been Reading
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. This book has all my favorite things: WW2, strong female characters, a mystery, and rich descriptions.
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro is now at the top of my favorite books. I have devoured Dani’s nonfiction but for some reason didn’t rush to read her latest book of fiction. But once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Except to stop and marvel at her mastery of writing and the power of story, secrets, family, and our connection to the natural world.
What I’ve Been Cooking
My friend
shared with me how she spent an afternoon cooking this chicken pot pie with biscuits. I’ve been eyeing this recipe for years but always felt intimidated by it until Laura shared her experience. I made it and it’s easy and delicious!Our local library held a soup cook-off and I made this minestrone soup. It didn’t win (that went to a lasagna soup!) but it’s another great meal that provided a hearty lunch through the week.
In our fast-paced world,
help us to slow down
so we may sense your sacred presence
in the present moment.
So grateful for you, friend! Be on the lookout this month for the next Walking Diary (all about birds and walks) and a blessing for Holy Week. Plus a special note on the one year anniversary of The Beauty of Motherhood!
P.S. I have a favor for those of you who have read The Beauty of Motherhood. Would you be willing to write an Amazon review? They are so helpful for getting others to know about our book! Anyone can review on Amazon whether you’ve bought the book from them or not. Thank you!
From The Beauty of Motherhood, More than a Mess: Seasons of Paying Attention
“…finding one thing and letting everything else fall away”
Gracious, I love this. I needed this lovely exhortation today! 🤍
Thanks for these words, Kim. I like the idea of practicing slowing down for Lent (rather than, or perhaps in addition to, the typical giving something up for Lent). So often I'm running through my day, trying to balance it all but not fully giving my full attention any of it. I wonder what things I miss?