Growing Through Challenge - Living Life In The Present Tense

September 9, 1981

The only way that I can find any sense of joy or inner peace is to remind myself that I can only live in this present moment. Fret and worry over yesterday or tomorrow only seems to take away from my joy. How much better it would be to delight in each priceless moment with God by remembering that anything and everything is a joy when done with Him. That same task, without Him, can be intolerable.

September 25, 1984

I wonder what the Father might say to me regarding my daily work? How quickly those in leadership are to give out responsibility without authority... labor without reward... requesting "a favor" with no intention of ever returning that favor.

What might the Father's attitude be in these situations? Perhaps he would say...

"Dear one, you will never be able to control other people...so why not focus on what you can control...the task at hand. Nothing is more important than this present task before you right now. As much as you can, allow no other thoughts or motives... past, present, or future, to rob you of your focus. Savor this unrepeatable moment as you learn the transforming and creative rewards of focused attention. Remember, it is not so much what kind of work you do, as the way in which you do it. Nor are all the rewards found in the bank... but also in the satisfaction of having done your best, and the inner conviction that you are doing your work as unto the Father."

February 23, 1987

When I choose to do one thing, it means... of necessity... that I must also choose not to use my time in other ventures, no matter how worthwhile they may be. Forget about them and focus on this one thing and savor it.

I wonder, what might the Father say about this? Perhaps He would say...

"Dear one, life is never more real than to a person who can do one thing and do it well. Attempting too many tasks fragments your thoughts and diminishes your effectiveness on any one of them. Multi-tasking can be a sort of illusion, created when a person moves their attention with lightening-quickness between several tasks at hand. Some are better at it than others. Rather, savor each moment and each experience, for this priceless moment is truly all you have."

April 14, 1988

I ran across this poem recently. What a precious reminder of God's provision for This Moment!

Psalms 23 For Busy People
_Toki Miyashina

The Lord is my pace-setter, I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity.
He leads me in the way of efficiency,
Through calmness of mind, and his peaceful guidance.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His Presence is here.
His timelessness and His all-importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of activity,
By anointing my mind with the oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
And I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
And I will dwell in His house of peace forever.

May 30, 1989

What a discovery I have made! I find that I can remain happy if I leave off clinging to the expectations of the day, and simply delight in doing the Father's will each moment. Seizing the joy of each moment is the way to a joyful day. Even when I find myself obligated seven days a week, what difference does it make... if each moment is savored in the Father's presence, doing His will?

June 19, 1990

Father, after a week of vacation, I was not looking forward to getting back to the "real world." Then, you reminded me that the "real world" is where You are... where you meet us, and give us your present moment's Presence, Grace, and Strength. Perhaps you might say to me at this time...

"Dear one, I will help you. Be of good cheer... today. I have come that your joy may be full... today. I have come that you might have abundant life... today. Savor it all in my presence this moment, and allow yourself to experience it fully!"

December 25, 1991

Today may be the one day I have... let me treasure it.
This hour may be all I have... let me rejoice in it.
This moment is all I have for certain... let me delight in it.

May 21, 1992

I find I still struggle to learned how to savor the present moment without thoughts of yesterday or tomorrow intruding to make me lose that joy of the present. I don't think that this is the way God wants us to live, so I have been finding some help by visualizing God saying to me things like the following..."

"Dear one, remember that I am here with you this moment! You have My total mercy, forgiveness, and grace. This is your gift without even asking. I will help you every moment to be more than you ever thought you could be! Remember that this day, this moment, is My gift to you... think about it... My gift to you... savor and enjoy it with Me."

November 7, 1992

When Moses asked God His name in ancient scripture, His reply was... "I am the I Am." Perhaps He was saying...

"When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard, for I am not there. My name is not I Was. When you live in the future with its potential problems and fears, it is hard, for I am not there. My name is not I Will Be. But when you live in this moment, it is not hard, for I am here. My name is I Am." _Helen Maiercoat

And so I have discovered that when we are too busy being occupied with the past or the future, we miss all the joy and "light-filled opportunities" of the present!

November 20, 1992

As I struggle with a large "to do list" and also consider how I might find that "abundant life" that Jesus came to give, I find myself so tense that I am in agony... of soul, spirit, and even body. The thought that comes to mind is... "The abundant life can only be experienced in the present moment!"

Indeed, it seems that I am always going to something and focusing on that, instead of the simple joy of the moment I am living now. Perhaps the Father would be saying...

"Dear one, if you can't live and enjoy the now, when will you be able to find and embrace the joy I am seeking to give you today?"

Perhaps the key is to remember how important it is to have a grateful heart and a thankful attitude for everything that God has given me, and each thing I get to experience at this moment.

April 21, 1993

To "live in this present moment", I find I must get into the habit of segmenting my time each day so that I can be freely invested in the moment and the task I am presently experiencing. This way, none of the past or future concerns are intruding to rob this moment of any of its effectiveness or joy.

A great achievement in life would be to get to the place where I am actually finding and living the joy of each present moment segment of life. That would, I believe, be the "abundant life". Again... thinking not in terms of "having to do" but "getting to do" each task at hand.

April 18,1996

Goals for doing better and having more are appropriate and important, but I am impressed today that in order to truly appreciate and enjoy those reached goals of the future, we need to develop a sincere and thankful attitude for the present. Truly, we can stand in awe, and even fall in love again with all of God's gifts that we have come to take for granted.

February 25, 1997

"This is "Zero Hour"... focus on this moment and enjoy it to the fullest!" This is what I believe the Father might be saying to my spirit at this time. "Quit losing this hour by re-living the past or pre-living the future... your happiness and your success in this life depend on it! Dear one, my mercy has over-shadowed and dealt with the past in its entirety. My grace envelopes the future in its entirety. Relish and enjoy this present moment, for it is my precious gift to you."

The beauty of "Zero Hour" is that it can serve to remind us that everything can start new from right now! God is always ready to hand us a "clean piece of paper" on which to begin to compose a new life with unlimited opportunities. Focus! Concentrate! This moment is a fresh beginning of a brand new life!

May 5, 1997

How important it is... in the rush of my day to day challenges, as I try to make honest and noble decisions that directly affect those within my circle of influence, to remind myself of these words that I believe I hear the Father saying to my heart...

"Dear one, this is that moment you have been waiting for... and I have been waiting to give you! Do your best to control your thoughts which want to run on to the days or weeks ahead, or even regrets for days gone by. Focus on my love! Enjoy and relish my provision! Savor the sunshine of my observing smile as I look on in intense parental pleasure at all that you are becoming!"

August 16, 1999

Receive each moment from the Father's hand. There is no moment or task that you need to 'get past'... hurrying on to the next thing. Every moment, event, and task can be received with thanksgiving, fully experienced, savored, and learned from in total trust in the Father's love and over-care.

April 17, 1998

Remember, it's not what you do, but what you get done that counts! Again, every hour is "Zero Hour"... a chance for a fresh start to focus and live deliberately, with always enough time for doing the Father's Will. I can rest in the knowledge that with God's help...
     1) My mind will be clearer...
     2) My memory will be quicker and sharper...
     3) My concentration will be more intense.

April 22, 2000

What might my Father be saying to me as I face the stressful events at hand and the inevitable worry that comes upon me? Perhaps he would say...

"Dear one, I... your Heavenly Father... am here with you right now... focused on helping you in this present moment. Leave "future tense" and the "past tense" and join me in the "present tense"... for I am here... I am with you... I am real... and I am the I Am... right here... right now."

March 14, 2002

Father, help me to savor every task and moment as I trust your unseen help and over-care. It occurs to me in a fresh way that this moment, any moment, is a gift from You. How wrong it is to count it as common, mundane, or inconsequential. I must not waste it, complain about it, or do anything but receive it and seek to rejoice in it, enjoying it and using it to its fullest potential.

July 18, 2009

Powerful insight... much more depth here to explore:

For years I have been so focused on eternity and seeking to become more spiritual, that it seems I have almost resented having to continue on existing with and in the temporary superficialities of human existence on earth. Today I considered afresh that temporal existence is not something to be taken for granted or despised... rather it is a very short learning period, providing me with circumstances not even angels get the chance to benefit from... and ones I will never have an opportunity to learn from again... not at any stage during all the rest of my eternal existence.

Thus, I really should cherish, rather than resent this brief (but unique) part of my eternal adventure with my Creator. I will never have opportunity to encounter these things again. On no other plane will I ever again:
     1. Get to "Believe"... without seeing!
     2. Get to "Trust"... without having solid evidence!
     3. Get to "Experience" the adventure of Faith... without knowing!

These are God's gifts of grace on a sin-darkened, cut-off world... one that even the angelic hosts stand in awe of! Perhaps I should take a more reverent view of this first temporary birthplace of my Eternal Soul as well.

April 4, 2011

Since God indwells me with His Spirit, it could make an enormous difference in every common moment and task if I just remember that I always have the “resources of Infinity” to draw wisdom, insight and strength from.