The Present

Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the "present". Someone wise first said that, but it was repeated by a cute cartoon character in the movie, Kung Fu Panda. Funny how messages come from many different sources.

Today is a balmy almost 60 degrees, the snow is melting, and the window in my kitchen is open! We could drift into yesterday and remember how chilly it was. We could think about June and how much better that is, but we only have today! Appreciate today. What a concept.

Things may not be going well in our economy, which means things are a little challenging in our homes and jobs. We could look at yesterday and remember how much better things were this time last year. We could imagine the future and picture it rosier. However, we only have today. Enjoy it, whatever it is.

God knows exactly what He is doing here. He wants us looking at what we have today and experiencing contentment, no matter what is going on. Think about Paul in the Bible. That guy knew how to persevere under major challenges! He could only live from day to day, and in doing that, he developed character and strength. How many people do you know who could truly keep thanking God while tied up in chains? Isn't our economy a little tied up in chains? Kind of hard to be thankful for that, isn't it? Well, if you appreciate today, you know to be thankful for what you have today, and chances are, you have a lot of thanking to do. Speaking to myself here as well.

I have a choice each day to either see the world as bleak and scary, or simply deal with today and give God the future and the past. Joyce Meyer made a point based on Biblical principles, that it's a bit arrogant to plan even for tomorrow, as no one knows what tomorrow brings anyway. Whatever you have, whatever you do belongs to God anyway. Borrowing too much confidence from the future only brings disappointment to your present when it doesn't happen the way you wanted it to.

It's easy to get caught up and move forward without thinking. We're a "feel-good" society at times. We sometimes think that we'll be "happier if...", only to find that it just takes something bigger and better to buy happiness next time. Chances are, if you can't (or I can't) afford something right now, it's not our time to have it yet. God wants to make sure we really appreciate the blessings he has given us.

Today is sunny. Today is warm and beautiful, and we appreciate the sunshine. This weekend it will be yucky again, but don't forget how you felt today! This is an instance where it's okay to live for today. It's a gift. Open it up and enjoy. Don't forget to send up your thank you note!