The Present

I was once described as being someone "on a rollercoaster of either the highest high or the lowest low... but never just in between". That being my emotions, of course.

And I thought about it, scratched my head over it, and at the end of the day, I don't completely disagree with it.

I've realized on the daily basis, I'm either super excited about something in the future... or I'm bawling my mascara-coated eyes in my car over something that happened, hasn't happened, or isn't happening.

And saying it out loud really helped me dissect what my problem is: I CAN'T FOCUS ON THE PRESENT.

I never thought of it as an issue. Just something that everyone probably goes through.

But working with children day in and day out... will teach you something about life that you wouldn't otherwise notice if you never step into their world.

Children are the simplest human beings in the world.

They wobble around with their squishy lunchboxes in hand, talk with their way too full mouths at the kid-size lunch tables, blurt out they're going to go poo, tell you that you're wasting trees by taking 3 not 2 strips of paper towels... all the while pulling you in close just to whisper they love you and then seal it with a big wet kiss on your cheek.

Children are all about the now.

There's nothing in their minds that tell them to worry about lunch tomorrow, or maybe little Andy won't want to be friends after what happened yesterday.

Anxiety? Pffttt that word was clearly first mentioned when someone blew out their candles into the teenage world.

Children have a great sense of the present. They don't focus on past situations or look at the future with longing. Today is their focus.

If only adults had the same mentality. But instead, it's as if we're driving and looking at the small rearview mirror instead of the wide dashboard with the road ahead.

And I think that's why as adults we get so anxious about everything. We focus on what's already been done and gone or hasn't even come yet.

But what for? Today has struggles of its own.

// Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. // Matthew 6:34
 
Can you imagine if our minds didn't even have the capacity to remember things that well? We'd probably be like Dory and all of the worries we have would not be a problem anymore.

I admire children for this reason. They don't hold onto grudges or worry. They simply have today. They forgive, forget, cry, smile, and play. 

I suppose that's why Jesus said in order to receive the kingdom of heaven, one must become like a little child:

// Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. // Matthew 18:3

It makes sense if you stop and think about it.

Think of all the people in your life you have today, that perhaps you won't have tomorrow. I want to be joyful about that.

Think of all the wonderful things you could do and enjoy now, that perhaps you couldn't in the past or won't be able to in the future.

I guess that's why the present is called the present... it's a gift that's meant to be enjoyed right now.

The past is the past and no longer matters, it's part of who we were... but not where we're going. It doesn't define us anymore.

And we're not in the future nor do we know what's coming up next.

But you can rest assure we have a Father who has the entire map of our lives already laid out. 

He knows what's ahead, so adjust your seat, look ahead and trust in what the GPS is telling you to do and just drive.

He's got this... He's got you.