The Gift Of The "Present"

That was the title of the sermon last Sunday at our church. Pastor Troy had the message and really made a lot of great points. In fact, both Kevin and I were fighting over a pen so we could quickly scribble down some notes.

It was about making the most of and being thankful for today and we've all heard that before, but he really drove it home last Sunday. Some of us are stuck in the past, but I think most of us are thinking about and focused on the future. We can't wait to finish high school...can't wait to get through college...can't wait to start a career, get married, have children, make more money, buy a larger home, better car, and so on.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." A quote by John Lennon and so true. My goal is to try to make the most of today, but it is a challenge sometimes for me. Luke 10:38-42 is the familiar story of Mary & Martha. Mary listens while Martha labors...I'm the Martha in this story...I want to be more like Mary.

Pastor Troy challenged us to live in 24 hr. compartments. If I only had 24 hours left of my life, what would I do?

Matthew 6:33-34 in the Message Bible states:

33" What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Here is what we've been up to this week.

A lake day with friends, Amy & Jaime. I enjoyed chatting and sunning with you two!

And you never know who's going to get hurt next around here...this time it was me. A little accident occurred and I'm not even sure how, but by the time all was said and done three out of four people that live here were crying. :) I was bending over and Kaiya bumped my chin with her head causing me to bite my lip pretty hard. As I was quickly walking down the hall holding my mouth with blood on my hand, Caedmon comes out of the bathroom...I run him over...he falls down on his behind and now three people are in tears.

I love the long summer evenings where daylight hangs around a little longer.

And today is my niece Rylie's eighth birthday. We met my mom at Burger King for lunch.

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift; that is why they call it the "Present."