Living in the Now

Too often we long for those good ole’ days or we pine for the future, and we totally miss the present. A couple of people who are very near and dear to my heart are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Watching their memory decline has reminded me how precious time is and of the importance of today. As Thanksgiving approaches, I am committed to grasping every moment. Each moment is unique and special and is one we can never get back.

I am an incessant planner. My calendar fills months in advance. Jeff is constantly reminding me to take life one day at a time. While planning isn’t bad, I can let my plans get in the way of God’s. I can miss divine appointments, because I am so focused on what I “need” to do.

In college, I heard a quote that really resonated with me. It said, “If I give you my time, I give you my life, because time is life.” There is so much truth to that statement. As I hurry to finish my next assignment for school or to cross off the next item on my to-do list, I may miss many valuable opportunities to connect with people. I don’t want to give my life away to stuff, but want to invest it in the lives of others. I pray that this season as we reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, that we will take time to refocus on what really matters in life.