Another Day??? Today!!!!

Another Day??? Today!!!!

On this cool fall morning, my first thoughts went to lamenting the end of summer for another year. It’s been so short. No more bare arms and sandals; the days of jackets and shoes have arrived. “OooooooHHHHH   noOOOOOO,” I moaned. It’s so easy to lament.

A bluejay landed on the feeder. My thoughts jumped to the future. Soon, soon, I will be recovering from the surgery. Maybe.

Tom called, “Breakfast is ready.”

I sighed. Another day. What’s the point?

Two hours whizzed by. Together, we chopped vegetables, making spaghetti sauce. Into the oven just in time for Haruna to arrive, Riley and Lana in tow, bringing smiles to my soul. She settled 22-month-old Lana and rushed Riley off to a doctor's appointment. A half hour later, I drove away, worrying all the way to Lindsay, already late for my lunch date with a friend. From behind a long parade of cars, I watched a monstrous truck toiling uphill and down, hauling a whole assembly line of machinery on a float trailer. My complaints continued.

Seeing my friend, BettyLou, brought change. Change in my thinking. Friends are important. It had been a while. We had lots to talk about. When I left for home, my Spirits had lifted some. I saw the sunshine dancing off the trees.

Once home, love and laughter surrounded me. Family, children welcomed me. We read stories, played games, talked, shared more hugs and enjoyed snacks. Tom and I laid out the supper we had prepared that morning. Chris (their dad) arrived. We all had a wonderful time. I smile now, as I think about it.

          At one point, Riley picked up my painting sitting on the windowsill. “What’s this about?” he asked. Just learning to read, he pointed to the words, ‘Enjoy the Journey.’

I smiled and said, “See the signpost. It says, ‘Left Behind’ as it points one way, and ‘New Life’ as it points the other way. We’ve left behind the summer. You’ve started grade one, a new life for this year. You’re already learning to read. The message at the top says, ‘Enjoy the Journey.’ That’s your task. Enjoy the journey. It means have fun at school.”

My heart heard my words. I was sure it was God speaking. “Open your mind and heart, Jan. See the beauty of this sunny day I have given you. Already you’ve enjoyed my surprises for this day, first your friend, now this time with Riley, Lana, Haruna and Chris. Yes, yesterday is past. Tomorrow is coming. Today is my gift to you. Enjoy it. There will be more surprises tomorrow.”

As Riley and I snuggled in my comfy chair to read a story and watch the birds, my heart sang, “Thank you, God, for this day. I am enjoying the Journey.”

That’s my message for you as you read this. God has given you today, a precious gift. Let go of your laments of yesterday; let go of your wants, your worries; let go of your expectations for tomorrow. Enjoy the journey, today.

Our Bible tells us, “This is the day that God has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

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