Moments

2013-09-13 11.55.29

“We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand; yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.” *

Gloria Gaither’s touching words have been flowing through my heart all morning as I thought about what I wanted to share today. Most of us, I think, have a bit of a struggle staying in the moment. We have a tendency to either look ahead to a future we dare to hope for or to look back in discouragement to the places where we’ve failed. Far too often we miss the miracle, the blessing, we hold in our hands.

I remember the long ago days when I was a brand new mama, feeling as inadequate and tired as I had ever felt in my life. My emotions bounced back and forth between this overwhelming love and absolute fear that I would do something wrong. I looked at friends with older children and longed for the day my little one would be just a bit older – when he could talk and play and walk and sleep through the night.

It didn’t take long to realize how quickly time passes and to feel a bit of sorrow for not enjoying those early days the way I could have had I not been looking ahead. I missed much of the blessing of those first few months.

I’ve caught myself doing it again lately as we’ve walked through some hard times. I keep looking ahead – hoping for things to get better. With my eyes focused far off on tomorrow, I was in danger of missing the wonder in my today. I refocused long enough to see the nest the cardinal’s had built in the hanging planter on our front porch. I watched, breathlessly, as one after the other, tiny birds hopped onto the ends of the plant and took their maiden flights into the great unknown. I could have missed it.

I could have missed the mama deer in our front yard, giving her newborn fawn a thorough washing, or the way the diminutive mama cardinal fought off the road runner who had designs on her wee babes in the nest.  I could have missed the soft whisper of the Spirit bringing peace in the midst of the storm.

I cannot see the blessings the Lord would place in my hands, when I try to walk far ahead of Him or linger in the distant past. He gives us grace for this day. He longs for us to treasure the moments, trusting Him with our tomorrows and yesterdays.

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You.”  Psalm 143:8

Blessings,

Linda

*”We Have This Moment Today” by Bill and Gloria Gaither

 

3 thoughts on “Moments

  1. Stacie

    I love this writing Linda! It is so true and it will help me today as I journey through motherhood and then love my husband. I need God to do all these things. Your post helps me remember that. Love you!

  2. Iris

    What a powerful message, Linda. I too often look ahead and miss what is right in front of me. May I be in the moment more often and cherish what God as blessed me with.