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In this episode of the Canyon Pathways Podcast, host Luke Smith sits down with longtime friend and fellow sojourner Paul Kimball for an honest and deeply personal conversation about attention—what it costs, why it matters, and how it transforms the way we live, lead, and love.

Together, they reflect on the experience of being seen by God, the challenge of being present in a distracted world, and how the journey of sonship invites us to pay attention not just to our calling, but to the people right in front of us. From small-town beginnings to martial arts, college faith encounters to family life, Paul shares his story with humility and insight—reminding us that attention is an act of love, and it’s never too late to give it.

This is a conversation about presence, pain, and the kind of hope that stretches across generations.

Key Takeaways

• Attention is an act of love. The Latin root of the word means “to reach toward”—and that reach costs us something.
• God’s attention transforms identity. When we realize we are seen by the Father, sonship begins to take root.
• The journey from servanthood to sonship is slow and sacred. It’s less about performing and more about belonging.
• Distraction is costly. What we don’t pay attention to—our families, our friends, our hearts—can wither.
• Presence is the foundation of leadership. The men around you don’t need you to have all the answers—they need you to be there.
• There’s healing in being seen. Shared meals, quiet companionship, and deep conversation all carry the power of restoration.
• It’s never too late. Whether you’ve been distant, distracted, or disconnected—God is still paying attention. And we can too.
  
  
  

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