Savoring the moments

Sometimes we are so focused on the future or a result of some work, that we fail to enjoy the present. It is with difficulty that we slow down to see the smaller moments and treasure the little things like the color of the lingering fall flowers, the smell of the earth after the rain, or the touch of a loved ones hand.

Lately I've been so focused on when and where we will end up, that I've forgotten to appreciate the here and now. But in my haste to be somewhere, I've forgotten the precious gift of the present.

God is able to wrap wonderful gifts up in the strangest paper sometimes. Rodger's joblessness this past 6 weeks has given us opportunity to spend time with our son and his wife. Their gracious sharing of their home has given us the time to get to know our daughter-in-law better and to be of service to them as well. The time spent eating together, running an errand, scrubbing a floor or straightening a room has been a blessing to all of us.

I know that Rodger has enjoyed going to Michael's soccer practices, playing fantasy football with his youngest son and following the Giants progress through the season. We will miss these things later, but each season has it's blessings, and we thank God for a little time to share them together.

We continue to look forward to what God has planned for us and anticipate our settling in a new home and work. In the meantime, God has blessed us with hidden treasures that we did not look for, but He continues to shower down.

Fending off the Slings and Arrows

Perhaps you have experienced times in your life when you just wanted to give up, to throw in the towel, just call it quits. You felt that you could not go on. I have moments like that. Yesterday Rodger and I were blessed to speak with a dear friend who has been through incredible health issues. Recently both he and his wife have faced life-threatening illness. Today, he is thankful for each day, a gift from God to be thankful for. Our conversation focused on his gratitude for the little things; their jobs, their home and the once-overlooked joy of walking down the street. In pondering on our phone call, I thought on the obvious idea that God has a different view of our life. He can see the conclusion of the situation we are in. Although we cannot see it now, He has given us what we need to stand firm in our faith and face what the future brings. If we are truly His, we have the strength from God within us through his Holy Spirit. I recently read this quote by Helen Keller, "Life is a daring adventure or nothing," and it struck me that if we are looking for safety and security in our life, we are not truly living. The only safe and secure place is in the heart of God's will. Every day is an adventure and we cannot sit idly by hoping not to get hurt or experience loss. Shakespeare expressed this as ". . . the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. . ." I believe that while God wants good for us, he is not some cosmic genie zapping the bad guys out of our way. He knows we will meet some outrageous situations caused by one who wants us fail. So whatever path God has set my feet on, I hope to meet that path with my head up and my eyes turned towards Him. I prepare myself for the daily onslaught of 'slings and arrows' by equipping myself with God's word. Otherwise I might sink to the depths of the unhappy character in Shakespeare's play. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:13 (RSV~ courtesy of blueletterbible.org)