“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”

Mother Teresa

Some days the struggle is real.  We bounce from task to task or city to city or perhaps just room to room, keeping up, producing, achieving, looking for place.

Recently, in the Memphis airport I came across a helpful sign for those days when we wonder what in the world we are doing and where we are going. It was a simple reminder – “You are here”.

Of course, it was attached to a map of the airport, but I chose to make a broader interpretation of its message. 

I am here – today.  Not yesterday and with no promise of tomorrow.  I am not here by mistake, but by God’s design.  Therefore, I have purpose. Here. Today.

I can smile and greet those around me.  I can look for someone who is struggling and offer a hand.  I can enjoy the beauty of the day and moments of joy.  I can join in a child’s laughter or see the humor in everyday circumstances. For today, I can be kind and thankful and patient.  I can be fully present in life, unfettered by the worries of times that have or may come. 

I am here – kept by the power of the God Who loves me.

I am here – breathing the air of this world.

I am here.

Jesus advocated this mindset in His Sermon on the Mount.  He urged us to live in the present, just like the lilies of the field and the birds of the air.  He is in control, and we can rest in His care.

There is still work to do, but the work of today does not overwhelm. God gives sufficient strength for today. Like the daily manna in the wilderness that He provided for the Israelites, He provides for my needs – today. I can leave tomorrow in His hands, and I do not have to allow the rancid problems of yesterday to poison today. I can release them to Him.

I don’t know where you are bouncing today or what task you are chasing.  I do know that hanging onto yesterday’s burdens will deflate your hope and your joy. And I know that spending the day focused solely on the future (or the phone, or social media, or any other distraction) will keep you from relishing the gift of today.

Faith is about trusting God with the past and the future.  He is more than able to handle them.

So, be here. Fully present. Engaged. Today.

You are here, and so am I.

Matthew 6: ²⁵ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Matthew 6: ³⁴ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message)

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.