Be in the Moment

It's already half way through the first month of summer and time feels like it's flying! We leave Saturday for a short trip to Missouri. After months of talking myself in and out of various destinations, we settled on Branson. It's kid friendly with lots to do and cheap! Cheap being the best part in Rick's mind.

We still trust that GM is going to keep his dealership open despite our best guess that nothing is for sure. Alas, Rick reminds me that God is in control and who holds us...but I can't help but wonder what would happen if that trial was dealt us.

However, I have very little time to think on that. With Ethan giving himself a hair cut and Caleb's incessant need to be outside...who has time to worry about the big stuff? After all, it's the small stuff that keeps one's life a buzz.

Today, we're headed to the zoo. And then back home to try and clean some more and work to get the house organized before we leave. This morning, Rick announced to me that he'd really like to declutter and give some things away and have the house just so before we leave so we, and I quote, "Don't' come home to a messy house."

Ha! I thought to myself...that'll be interesting to try and accomplish but I know he's right.

It's times like these that I really lament the fact that we're not planning some wonderful trip to some far off place to get lost in another culture...just the two of us again.

I'm always hoping for the next big thing to distract me. Sometimes I fall into a bit of a funk over the day to day...and then I remind myself...there are millions of people out there who wish they only had it so good as myself and my family. If not billions...

I took some time to reflect on this the other night. I have so much to be thankful for...from where I was born, to when I was born, to whom I spend my days with and what I spend my days doing. I don't live in fear of my life or not knowing where my next meal will come from. I have healthy children and many wonderful luxuries at my disposal. And while I'd like to be a globe trotter, I'm not in a season of my life where I can easily do that. I have the next generation to raise and two little men at that!

I recently heard some one mention that they have trouble with being regular, ordinary. I think that's one of my biggest struggles actually. And if most of us would take the time to admit it, I think we'd find that we all wrestle with this. Setting ourselves apart if only in our minds can become a major distraction if not obsession. I'm always trying to get to a certain spot where I feel content. When we finish the house, when I get this mastered, when I find out this piece of information, after I take this trip, when I stop doing that or we get to this level...it's all a lie.

Contentment is in the day to day moments and the love of your life at THIS moment. Not forward, not backward but in the present. Be in the moment.

Be in the moment. That is something I repeated to myself throughout my entire wedding ceremony. I wanted to be in the moment. And I was. What a tender moment it was! But why did I have to remind myself to be present? Simply because there was so much to be overwhelmed by! Maybe that's the problem...therein lies the truth. The focus has to be clear. Be in the moment each day...celebrate what today has to offer! Don't look behind, don't look ahead...take it step by step and be in the moment, for truly this moment is all that I have.