Friends
Where are you this morning? Are you near a window? Can you step outside? Can you see the brilliance of the blue sky or the blissful shade of an oak tree? Is there something beautiful for you to notice this morning? Don’t miss this moment!
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How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.
Psalm 31:19-20 – NIV
“Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time”
-From The Serenity Prayer
The echo of my footsteps upon the ancient stairwell thundered in my ears. I felt like I was submerged in deep water, my chest tight, my body straining to surface, to gulp fresh air into my lungs. The opening to the outside was just ahead. Our pace on the stairs quickened. Not long now.
Bursting through the exit at a near jog, I took in the side street, a throng of pedestrians headed for the Tube station we had just exited. The Main Street was straight ahead, the roar of traffic like a compass showing us the way.
Rounding the corner, the light struck my face like stage lights announcing the start of the long awaited show. There it was, Trafalgar Square, the fountains, the statues, the huge marble buildings hemming us in, rising toward the gray sky above. Big Ben chimed in the distance. The spires of Parliament rose above the city skyline. Black cabs hustled by. A red phone booth stood expectantly on the opposite corner, beckoning me to run over and push open its iconic door.
My heart was pounding, my breath coming fast. Rushing toward the marble fountain, I stopped short, throwing my arms open wide, twirling around in delight. Jonathan’s awestruck eyes found mine, his mile wide grin a reflection of my own. I took my little boy’s hands in mine, twirling him around with me. “We made it! We’re here!”
That was a moment, a moment that is forever imprinted on the wall labeled “Joy” in my mind. London was all around me. I was standing in the heart of a city I had dreamed about since my little girl days. Now, with Eric and Jonathan by my side, I was there, standing on its streets, and I could see it all.
Moments. There are moments in your life that you will never forget, those moments of sheer joy that catch the wind, your heart soaring across the sky.
“Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time.”
One day at a time, one moment at a time. Life in the present tense. Eyes open, ears poised to listen. Seeing it all, tasting of the day’s delights. These poignant words from the Serenity Prayer remind us just how precious each day is, how much there is to see and to savor.
Yet, far too often, our sights are set to the distance, our gaze fixed on the distant hills, instead of the beauty of our present surroundings. This future focus makes us miss the moments, and life is all about the moments.
I believe we are meant to treasure the moments, to both make them and remember them. I think of those cherished moments of motherhood, when little Jonathan called out, “Watch me, Mama!”. I can still see those precious brown eyes and that brilliant smile as he bounded down the big yellow slide.
Every single day has its moments. They are little gifts from God. Perhaps it’s the smile on your child’s face, a beautiful flower, or a kind word spoken to you. The moments are there, just waiting for you to unpack. Yet, how often do we rush right past, focusing not on the beauty around us, but on our to do lists? We are so fixated on what we will do tomorrow that we miss the beauty of today.
Have you ever paused to ask yourself, “What was the best moment of this day?” Have you ever challenged yourself to take an inventory of your daily blessings before closing your eyes to sleep? What would our days be like if we ended them with a prayer of thanksgiving for those special moments we noticed, even in the most mundane of days?
For we know that not all days will offer scenic views of faraway cities, yet, each day is special, for our days are numbered. They each have a purpose. They each offer countless opportunities to both trust and thank our Creator God for His provision and blessings. Perhaps if we really lived our lives focused on one day at a time, treasuring the moments, both great and small, then we might truly find the serenity we seek.
On this Monday morning, would you join me in looking for those little moments to savor? May we then pause and give God the glory for these golden daily treasures.
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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13-16 – NIV
PRAYER
Creator God, you made each of us for a divine purpose. All the days ordained for us were written in your book before one of them came to be. You know our moments. You orchestrate our days. Forgive us for our future focus, for our frenzied pace. Teach us to stop and treasure the precious moments of each day, to be satisfied with the little treasures you offer us along the way. You are so good to us, Lord. We thank you and praise your Holy Name.
In the Beautiful Name of Jesus, we give thanks and praise,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 10/26/2020
Faith Beyond Sight 