(HI! I have been away from my blog for a bit and I have an exciting reason why – I am publishing a book! I got so wrapped up in editing the work for the book, I neglected to keep my weekly post … well, weekly. I hope this was worth the wait. I will keep you posted on the progress of publishing too. The book should be out by the end of summer. Thank you for encouraging me and for staying connected with through it all!)

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”            Psalm 118:24

I’m a thinker, a dreamer, and a planner. Consequently, this means I’m always looking ahead. I seem to always be in the process of hatching a plan of some sort or to have something new and exciting on the horizon. Although this means I tend to be a pretty optimistic person, there is a down-side … sometimes I miss what is right in front of me. In looking to the future, I miss something great in the moment. 

Do you have an app that counts down to a vacation or celebration? Is it tagged to your home screen as an ever-present reminder of something better that is yet to come? I do. BTW – It is 29 days until our next big trip. At our house, we are of the mindset that we should have a vacation planned before the current one is over, so we always have something fun to look forward to down the road. This is all well and good; however, the underlying message could be: today isn’t good enough. 

At times, we invest so much time, attention, and resources building up the idea of an upcoming event that we barely give notice to the extra in our ordinary days. That special holiday, trip, or occasion we desire and long for over an extended period of time comes and goes in what seems like the blink of an eye often leaving us let down because the experience did not live up to the hype. Our investment and expectations were too high. 

Conversely, while focused on the promise of the future we miss the awesome experience of today. This day. This day which is right in front of us is full of promise too – although we certainly don’t act like it. How many times do we dread going to work or seeing a certain person? How many times are we put out by the weather or the traffic or a change in family plans? We don’t expect anything different and treat today as mundane and routine thinking tomorrow will be better. And as the saying goes … tomorrow never comes. 

That’s why I’ve started making a conscious effort to be in the moment. One way I am doing this is by closing my emails with “Enjoy this day” – as a reminder. A reminder to the recipient of my email of course, but also and more importantly as a reminder to me!

Enjoy this day!

This day is the only one of its kind and when it is gone … it’s gone. This day will be filled with interactions that are one of a kind, words spoken and heard that deserve attention, and God’s beauty and grace reflected through nature and people around us. 

Enjoy this day!

Keep dreaming and looking ahead with great anticipation of upcoming celebrations, vacations, and accomplishments but don’t miss the joy in every day between those milestone moments. Take time right now to commit to finding the joy in this day. To be present in it. 

Don’t just countdown to vacation or a special day with excitement. Countdown to today, each day. Anticipate the goodness God has in store for you each time the date changes.

Enjoy this day!

What are you waiting for? 

Enjoy this day! I know I am.