Yesterday my family and I spent the day in a small, quaint town. While there we walked the streets, window-shopped, admired old brick buildings, and read on the town’s engagement in the Civil War. We stopped in a teashop, a local coffeehouse and walked the canal.
The whole while my 11 year old talked and talked and talked. She went on and on about how she was going to enjoy this trip to this town. She went on about how she would see sights and visit shops. This narration was taking place right as we were DOING the very things she was mentioning. But she was so engrossed in her future planning of what we would do that she was missing THE opportunity to bask in the PRESENT moment of us DOING IT. I reminded her to LIVE in the moment.
But that’s where most people live in their minds. They’ve hitched a ride with Marty McFly and jumped into the DeLorean. Most have gone into the future and have stayed there. Or they’ve taken a trip to the past and have gotten comfortable there. All the while missing all that abounds in THIS PRESENT MOMENT.
Oh the JOY that is available to us here in this present moment. Neither future nor past are greater than NOW. Be present to live in the moment.
Now is reality. The past is a memory and the future an imagination, but the present is where LIFE happens.
While there are benefits to reflecting on the past in that it can fill us with warm memories and allow us to learn from our experiences, there is danger in living the bulk of our present existence in a time that doesn’t currently exist.
Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present. ~Roger Babson
While it is good to forecast into the future, to hope, anticipate, plan, dream, wonder and visualize, we need to ACT and action happens in the present.
After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
Life is too precious to take for granted. Every inhalation and exhalation is a reason to rejoice and give thanks. By engaging our senses and focusing our attention, we can train ourselves to be present live in the moment.
Do you remember being a young child, sitting at your desk in school? At the start of the day your teacher would begin to take roll. When your name was called, you affirmed that indeed you were there by saying “Here” or “Present”. Friends God is taking attendance and He wants to know if you are here. When your name is called, how will you respond? Will you be marked absent because your attention is consumed with the past or the future?
As I sat on the bench with my family looking out onto the water, I listened to my children’s laughter, I felt the sun radiating on my skin, I admired the colors of the flowers and smiled in amazement at God’s creativity. I gave thanks for all the beauty, majesty and splendor abounding in THAT MOMENT.
This moment is all I have
This moment is divinely appointed
This moment is especially blessed
This is the NOW moment
BE PRESENT
Live in the moment
God is here!
As always, it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with these friends sharing the good news #WordsWithWinter, Purposeful Faith, #LifeGivingLinkup, Dance With Jesus, Grace & Truth
Great post! The present is today’s gift. 🙂
Thanks for linking up with Grace & Truth!
Jenn,
I woke up with a praise on my lips and am continuing to bask in His presence. He Is Here!
O, what are you writing beautifully. Thanks for the reminder to cherish the beauty, majesty and splendor abounding in THAT MOMENT.
Ariella,
I pray your senses have been engaged, you awareness sharpened and have been basking in the moment. Thanks for visiting.
Such timely words that I need to hear over and over again 🙂 It’s so easy to get so busy with going from one thing to another, or brooding over past mistakes, or wishing for things to be better, but when we do that we miss so much. Now is a gift God has given us. I want to intentionally slow down and try to be fully present in each moment. I love your photos. They are so peaceful. Blessings to you and have a great weekend!
Gayl,
Thank you for sharing. Taking pictures is one practical way that I embrace the now moment. Slowing down to observe what I am shoot, admiring it while I’m shooting and giving thanks for the beauty therein ushers me front and center of that moment. Praying you bask in the fullness of his presence in THIS moment.
So true! And this brings such freedom from guilt and shame, fear and worry, when we remember it. “Let me serve You now God! You’ve forgiven the past. You’ll take care of the future. Let me serve You now!” Thanks for this reminder we all need on a regular basis!
Glad to meet up with you today thru Purposeful Faith & #RaRalinkup!
Yes Angela…serving NOW, loving NOW and living NOW.
So true. We’re often so caught up and obsessed of what our future is going to be that we overlook the present. Living in the present is the best way to live. To relish every moment. Despite the distractions, we really should try to focus.
Lux,
I completely agree and have found a simple tool effective for staying engaged in the now moment and that is engaging the senses. When I smell my candles, taste my food, hone in on my child’s laughter I am front and center PRESENT.
Awesome Tyra, God always confirms what He is showing us and right now it’s to live in the moment. Take Care of you and your beautiful family.
Denita,
In his presence there is FULLNESS of joy and his presence appears in the NOW moment. I pray you bask in His presence today and always.
This is an AWESOME message. So on time, So on time.
Love the visual of being marked PRESENT. Even when your dreaming about the future and how good it’s going to be you still will be marked absent when the FATHER calls your name if your mind, body and soul, are not PRESENT. So timely my friend so timely.
I’m going to make this sign for my classroom
Now is reality. The past is a memory and the future an imagination, but the present is where LIFE happens.
Thank you. You are BOMB.com
You can quote me on that friend. Good to know my words will impact young people. I hope they take them to heart and make the most of the NOW moment.