We have only today. Yesterday is already gone and tomorrow when you really think about it will never come! The Psalmist says “Today is the day, we will live gladly in it.”
Two thieves can rob us of today—regret over yesterday and fear about tomorrow. When I think about this I am quite disappointed in myself over how much energy I expend either looking back or looking too far ahead. Both are necessary of course for if we don’t pay attention to what has happened in the past we are bound to repeat it whether it is good or bad; and if we don’t look ahead and plan, any road will take us there and we might not like where we end up!! But even so, today is the only day we can actually engage, the only day we can actually live and experience in the present time. Rejoicing in today can make all the difference in the world for how we feel and how we live among each other.
When I wake and see the sun I can thank God for the gift of light. If I see clouds when first opening my eyes I can thank God for life giving rain. I have the opportunity to go through all of the “normal” things I do during the day, from paying attention to hygiene, through eating, working, playing, connecting with family and friends, learning, helping others, napping, enjoying some quiet time, on to resting once again as evening comes and greet them all with joy. All through the day I can, or as the psalmist says “will” rejoice and be glad in what I am experiencing. And when I am able to rejoice in the things of today, something very wonderful happens--my regret about yesterday diminishes and my fear about tomorrow shrinks!
We may only have today, but you know what? That is all we need!
Prayer: Lord thank you for being with us and giving us your greatest gift—the gift of today! Amen
Pastor Jerry
