Keturah A. Ford

The picture (taken March 2015) above documents an event that was very special to me as a woman, Bible Teacher, and ministry leader. A few dozen females attended from all parts of New Jersey. The subject was, “Lessons Learned in the Wilderness” and was applicable to womanhood, Christian lifestyle, spiritual growth, leadership, and more.There were also other women speakers and authors who participated on the platform that day.

We prayed, cried, lamented, worshiped, and learned at the feet of Jesus concerning Matthew 4 and His earthly experience of suffering, spiritual warfare, and faithfulness among other things.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Matthew 4: 1- 3

I was pumped and excited as the energy was high with God’s presence that met us women right where we were. And as well-orchestrated as the event was, I was humbled in a matter of a moment when a little child walked up to my speaker podium and began to talk to me and grab at my outfit.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14

Of course children were welcome at the event as I made sure there was a designated play space with toys for moms to take advantage of. My little one was also somewhere in the room that evening as well.

The little girl’s presence spoke volumes at this particular time. I was reminded as a woman, wife, mother, and leader — that I’m still just Keturah. I may have had an agenda and plan, but the innocence and freedom of that little girl was the beautiful distraction I needed to help keep me truly focused.

Seven years later, I still get to ponder this picture and moment. Sometimes when it seems like I’m going 100 miles per hour in the flow of work, plans, and activities – God is still using subtle things to bring my focus back to what’s truly important.

Questions to Ponder?

How has God used beautiful distractions in your life? How have you been inspired to stay focused on the things that matter the most?