At the end of each year Cathy and I reflect on the past year. We spend time praying, reading, and talking about the year ahead. Then we chose a word for the year. In 2018 we selected run and as Cathy wrote on December 31, it was an appropriate choice.
This year Cathy suggested the word focus. I’m sure part of the reason was because of all the changes in our life last year, but I’m guessing another reason is how well she knows me. My mind is an interesting, active place. That leads to many exciting experiences, but it also causes me to run in too many directions. We’ve decided 2019 is a year to focus.
For one of our Children’s Messages during Advent we used a toilet paper tube as the object lesson. Here is the way I normally see the world:
This year Cathy suggested the word focus. I’m sure part of the reason was because of all the changes in our life last year, but I’m guessing another reason is how well she knows me. My mind is an interesting, active place. That leads to many exciting experiences, but it also causes me to run in too many directions. We’ve decided 2019 is a year to focus.
For one of our Children’s Messages during Advent we used a toilet paper tube as the object lesson. Here is the way I normally see the world:
I have gone into the den to get a book and after looking at knick-knacks, pictures, and favorite books I have forgotten what I went in for. Here is a look at the same bookcase through a toilet paper tube:

After the Children’s Message using the toilet paper tube, an astronomer told me that they call a tube an image or optical intensifier. By removing distractions and narrowing the focus, the image of interest becomes clearer and actually looks larger. Now I have this on my desk:
Cathy and I are still working on the specific things we want to focus on, but we are committing to focus more clearly on God and make Him larger in our lives in 2019.
Cathy and I are still working on the specific things we want to focus on, but we are committing to focus more clearly on God and make Him larger in our lives in 2019.