Yesterday and Tomorrow

I have this tendency to either dwell in the past or the future -- to think about what happened yesterday or worry about what will happen tomorrow (or next week, month or year).

I've been learning what it means to live in the present.

Living in the present means being aware, being attuned to the here and now. It means appreciating this very moment, being grateful for today instead of thinking about my yesterdays or planning my tomorrows. It's a realization that by living in the past or the future, I miss out on so many beautiful moments of today.

So, I'm trying to be better at this. Try with me?

Things I've been mindfully aware of in the past 24 hours:
My four-year-old cousin Joshua's happy cry of, "Miss Dana's home!"
An encouraging text message from a dear friend
The taste of coffee
The morning sun as I drove to the train station
The happiness of a friend who finished taking her nursing exam
Laughter at lunch with my fellow interns
Eating a plum for the first time
A meaningful chapter in a good book
The soreness in my arms after kickboxing class
The feel of sticky Missouri humidity on my skin
The laughter of little boys as they play with their new toys

Days are so much more full when I savor these moments, when I dwell in the purpose of today.

I was recently reminded by a dear friend that the Lord gives us grace only for the present moment. By living in today's grace, we are saying, "Lord, I take hold of You today, trusting and knowing that you will again pour out the grace I will need tomorrow."

Give us today our daily bread.