I just wish I would be able to keep my thoughts focused on God all day long with whatever happens.
Me, too.
I have a dear friend who is far older and wiser than I. He taught me about Practicing the Presence in such a sweet way. He said it's easy - just start by thanking God for EVERY little pleasure, no matter how small the moment you experience it. One example he gave was having a bowel movement. lol! He said it is a bit of a release - a small pleasure to be able to have a bowel movement, right? So when you do, thank God - in the moment! To this day, I cannot use the bathroom without thinking about God. Maybe you will think of Him each time you use the toilet now, too! Ha ha. I go through dry spells that can last months or even years, but once I start noticing the little things again, they are everywhere. Soon you find yourself thinking, "Oh, wow! Look at those beautiful trees! Thank you for the trees, Lord! Thank you for the sky!" Then you see Him in people on the street. I used to mentally tap stranger's heads in cars as they sped past. "That person! Thank you God for that person! Bless you, strange person!" Thank You for the colors, thank You for the words. Thank You for the happy sound rice makes when it hits the bottom of the pot, and the way it smells while steaming. Thank You for the steam! How precious is that? Water turned to gas. Amazing! It can become addictive. Then once you start to feel that amazing gratitude, it really is an ongoing, active love story. The same way you think of a human being you might be enamored with - how everything around you reminds you of them in some way - God is like that, only better. You can fall in love with God. <3
This paragraph that you wrote has a lot of practical advice on practicing the presence. Thank-You Shannon Leigh. i will be rereading it from time to time and try to practice it! "Thank-You for the words."