Finding Joy in the Present

The present is a hard place to live in sometimes.  It's all too easy it seems to get wrapped up in the past.  The mistakes, the fumbles, even the triumphs.  Even though we can't go back.  Then, it's the future that we're often longing for, planning for and looking ahead at.  Even though we really have no idea what it will bring.

But the present, well, it's here.  It's here in the midst of today's to-do list.  It's here in reality.  It's here now. And we mostly rush through it.  Busy.  Preoccupied.  Often overlooking the beauty in it.  Thinking that tomorrow we will have time to enjoy today.  Unfortunately, that tomorrow seems to never come.

My lillies: one beauty in today

Where is the joy in the present?  It's here, waiting to be recognized.  We can rush right past it.

I'd prefer to live fully in the moment I am given.  This one.  To live life with my eyes wide open.  Aware.  Thankful.  Joyful in the "now" of my life story.

I can't change the past.  I can't determine the future.  But I can choose to entrust both of them to the One Who made me.  I can also choose to thank Him for the gift of the present, no matter what my circumstances or agenda for the day, by living fully in it.

Will you join me, friend?

"This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it." 

 Psalm 118:24

“I don't really want more time; I just want enough time. Time to breathe deep and time to see real and time to laugh long, time to give You glory and rest deep and sing joy and just enough time in a day not to feel hounded, pressed, driven, or wild to get it all done-yesterday.”  ― Ann Voskamp

Today I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for 5 Minute Friday.

This is when I "just write without worrying if it's just right or not.  For five minutes flat with not editing, tweaking, or self-critiquing." 

Today's word:  Present.

Click the link above to see what others had to write on this same topic.