Live for today

As soon as I saw this quote, I realized this was something I truly learned last year and has made ALL the difference in the world this year.

It's so easy getting caught up in schedules, agendas, events, and future planning that we easily forget to enjoy what we have in front of us.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we can worry so much about what lies ahead, that we are stressed. That removes any possibility of current joy and peace because we're so focused on something out of our control. Most of the time, we've blown something out of proportion that was probably very insignificant.


Matthew 6:25-34 says it best:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 
 
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When you live for today and not what lies tomorrow, there is so much freedom, peace and joy in what's here and now.  

Spelunking...

Laurel Caverns

Last weekend I went spelunking (aka: caving) at Laurel Caverns in Pennsylvania. This is something I never thought I would do, but my husband planned it, so we went. 

The incredible thing about this experience was that we went 46 floors below ground into completely pitch black caves. Most people take the "upper level" tour where there's lights all around and you can walk through the great caverns, but for those who want a little more adventure, there's the "lower level caving" where there's only our flashlights to shed light. So of course, that's what we did!

Funny how something so adventurous can be such a spiritual experience. With 9 people doing this tour into the deep caves below the mountain, I became aware of some really interesting things. 

During the middle of our tour, the tour guide told us to shut off our flashlights. What I saw was something I've never seen before in my life: complete and utter darkness. Not an ounce or drop of light to be seen anywhere. I didn't move, but I did wave my hand before my face just to see if there was the remote possibility I could see something, but of course nothing. After I did that, our guide told us to wave our hands in front of our faces...I just laughed because it was my first instinct. 

She stated at in complete and total darkness like this you last 8-10 minutes then become disoriented and lose complete sense of direction; after 10 minutes, you become delusional.

I found it interesting that this was such a spiritual implication in life. Individuals go their whole life in darkness apart from Christ Jesus. They go where the "wind takes them" or follow what seems to be the best or right option, but not necessarily the truth or light. 

Life in complete darkness leaves you disoriented without a sense of direction or knowing which way to really go, so you go whichever way you can...usually into deeper darkness. Delusion of living life in darkness becomes the norm and comfortable, but never gives true peace and joy. 

Jesus came as the light of the world. As disciples of Christ, we are "all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5

"To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." Acts 26:18

Darkness is never a good place to be, but if you've been in it long enough, you don't even realize you're in it. The true light is found in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. May you find the light!

More than meets the eye.

Since I was a child I've heard of frankincense as one of the most precious oils, which is why it was gifted to Jesus, along with incense and myrrh. When I started working in the health industry, I noticed how expensive the frankincense essential oil was and realized this still was a precious oil.

Just a few days ago, I read an article on the benefits of frankincense and the aromatic attributes. Then it spoke about the tree. I never thought of where this fantastic oil came from, only that it was. Well, this amazingly precious oil comes from one of the ugliest trees in the desert.

It has prickly thorns exuding from the branches and looks dried up. From all appearances, this tree looks invaluable, yet it contains one of most desired and valuable oils in all the earth: frankincense.

The second I saw that tree, a million cliches came to mind:

• True beauty is skin deep
• Never judge anything by appearances
• True beauty is on the inside
• It's the inside, not the outside that counts
• Things aren't always what they seem
• There's more than meets the eye...

You get the picture. Just because something (or someone) doesn't look the way we want it to or the way we think it should, never underestimate the importance of what lies beneath the surface.

God is...

When life is uncertain, God is not

When our power is limited, God's is limitless

While our hope may be fragile, God is hope himself

Patience.

This year has been challenging in so many ways, but through it all, I have seen God's grace in my life. There were several times I broke down as a result of frustration, but I pushed through in faith.

All I kept getting was to be patient...wait on the Lord...be still. Do you know how hard that is for me??? It was getting to the point that I didn't know if He was even listening to me anymore. What I did find was His peace.

As a result, when I spoke with someone I love and cherish this week that is going through similar frustrations, I was able to encourage her and tell her what God's done for me this year. Not all I was asking the Lord has been answered, but I have peace because I know its coming in His time, not mine.

Life is hard...it's harder when you don't have faith in anything, especially in Jesus. He's my sustinence, the only reason to push forward towards the goal, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

Maybe what you're going through today will not only help encourage someone else in the future, but take you to another level of faith. Maybe...just maybe.

Be blessed!

Anxious and I go hand in hand.

I hate being anxious and I hate my mind going 1,000 mph all the time. That's why I know I'm blessed to have the husband I have that balances me out and calms me. He's the complete opposite. I can't stay still talking about one thing because while I am, I'm mentally creating a to do list of what I should be doing.

In fact, it's been so bad lately that I've created to do lists daily so I don't deter and am able to get everything done that needs to get done. On this list, believe it or not, I have to include "eat". I don't make time to always eat because I'm so busy doing other things. Right now, I decided to take a few minutes to blog about just that.

I read yesterday in my daily quiet time the following verse:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24.

This verse was written for me. I want God to know my anxious thoughts (though he will whether I like it or not), because many times its those thoughts that push me away from him as a result of lack of trust in Him. He knows we naturally do this. Busyness is what keeps us from Him and anxiousness is failure to fully trust in Him while confiding in our own ability to do so.

There's freedom in releasing those anxious thoughts and allowing Him to reign. When he takes control, It's just so amazing and liberating. True peace only comes with Jesus.

I've blogged about this subject a few times because it's something I struggle with. It helps me to blog, hope it ministers to you as you read =)

"Joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

Hmm...that's a view to wake up to.

Photo: Gene Patey

I wonder what I'd do if I woke up to this in the morning. What would you do?