Richard Foster says this in his mini-book which I highly recommend: Sanctuary of the Soul, “Distraction is the primary spiritual problem of our day.” Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t. When I look around me at Starbucks tonight, I see what he means. 90% of the people around me have their eyes glued to a device. When I look into my own soul, I agree.

Distraction is the fog that can keep me from self-awareness and self-correcting. And I wonder, whose presence am I practicing? Am I practicing the presence of my iphone or the thousands of “friends” chatting there?

This episode is the story of a hike up to Hemlock Falls and how a clinging cross and a question steadied my focus in prayer and ultimately opened up a powerful moment of healing.