Driving into work this morning, I was so focused on my commute that it took me until I walked inside the building to realize that I had not looked at the sky. Sitting down at my desk, my thoughts drifted to this weekend and how busy I was going to be. Plans started forming immediately about what needed to be taken care of, and how it was going to get done. As I sipped my cup of coffee, it came to mind that I needed to buy more, so I planned to add it to my grocery list when I got home.
As I glanced out the window at the rain, I began wishing for the sunshine that was presented to us the day before. While mild, it was a bit chilly, and I wanted warmer weather to enjoy in the season I know is coming very soon. Settling into my routine of work, I put in my headphones and enjoyed the tunes of the band Owl City, while thinking about the doctor appointment my son has in the coming weeks. Setting an alert on my phone to remind me about it later, I noticed the date of my daughter’s birthday party. I smiled as I looked forward to her surprised expression when she would see all of the activities set before her on her special day.
Reaching for my bagel, it took me a moment to realize that I had eaten it in the car, and after the guilt that I would have probably eaten a second one if it had been sitting there, I started thinking about what I was going to make my family for dinner – this weekend. I like to plan meals for my crockpot. As my co-workers entered the office, I showed them the pictures of the kids at the park the day before, and as they cooed over their adorable faces, it hit me how fast my babies were growing, and I wished for the days when they were still teeny tiny little beings.
All of these thoughts bring me to a harsh reality when I take into account that I am constantly wishing for yesterday’s circumstances and the plans that the mysterious future holds. Learning how to enjoy today is a difficult task, but one that should be undertaken in order to live my life to the fullest extent. Each day is a gift presented to us by God. Tomorrow is not a promised day, and the future is never going to be certain no matter what plans I lay out for it. So I am going to “PAUSE” my thoughts about the past and future, and press “PLAY” on today. Maybe by doing that, I will actually enjoy my bagel …
James 4: 13-17
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Image retrieved from: http://prommafia.com/2009/07/academic-agendas-and-planners/
Noise for Strangers 