What about today?

Some of the lessons God has been teaching me are to be present in the moment, to be grateful in all things, and to cast my cares on Him, no matter how great or small. I feel like I have actually been learning these lessons for decades, but there is something beautiful about them becoming a part of who you are and how you operate.

Thank you does not feel like enough to say to God. I know that He protects me daily. He blesses me even though He knows my faults. He provides for me even when I can not provide for myself. All that I have and all that I am is His. As I was acknowledging this in my prayer time today the following began to pour out to share with you.

What if we were to live completely in the here and now? Not waiting for something better in our future. Not longing for something from our past. Not looking to escape the now in either memories or future dreams--which are not bad but can be distractions and joy suckers. We often get caught up in the what-ifs, should-haves, and could-bes that lead down the road to self-destruction. Hope for the future is good and necessary, but we can't live in the past or in the future. We live in the now. What if we appreciate today--with all of its challenges and blessings? What if we look for ways to be grateful and be a blessing right now? Some days are more of a challenge than others, I understand that, but if we look, there is always something to be grateful for. There is some way to be thankful for what He has brought us through, what He is bringing us through, and what we are learning in the process.

What if we let go of regret, fear, and the expectations of the world? The world has a standard of success that does not align with God's word. What if we stop aligning with the world and ask God what success would look like to Him for our lives? What if we look to the face of Jesus, listen to His words, and give Him thanks in all things? Not complaining about what we don't have, or what we have to deal with that we don't want to. The Word says, "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:20 (NASB1995). Giving thanks and being grateful brings such peace and freedom! "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You" . Isaiah 26:3 (NASB1995). What if we seek Him more than we seek money, status, approval, and our desires? He brings all that is needed for each day. Even when we feel like there is loss, shortage, or concern the truth is that we are in His hands and He knows every need. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:33 (NASB1995). What we need is in Him and He made us. He knows the needs of today and tomorrow, and so on.

Every trial and every time of difficulty can be seen as a beautiful opportunity to lean on Him. To learn to rest in Him. To learn to trust in Him. We need these things to face the enemy of this world and to move forward with the Kingdom of God. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:6 (NASB1995). Romans 8:28,"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (NASB1995). When we commit all of our ways to Him, He works everything out.

God cares about our pain, our heartaches, and our struggles. But He cares more about our soul, and that we come to be with Him in eternity. "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers", 3 John 1:2 (NASB1995). The health of our soul is His priority. He could make everything easy but how does that strengthen us? How does that steer us away from the world and into His arms? How does that teach us that it is not things or people that we can not live without, it is Him? Souls are what matter. The peace that He gives as we give thanks for His endless mercy, grace, and love is powerful. He teaches us, comforts us, and carries us through every difficulty that we must endure in this life. But one day....we will be with Him in eternity if we stay in Him and do not turn away to the ways of the world.

What can you give thanks for today? How can you be a blessing today? What is He showing you today? What lesson can you learn from what you are going through? Can you share it with someone else and help them along their journey?

When you are in Him, all that you have and all that you are is His. You are not your own. When you move into that surrendered life, there is such peace. Yes, there are trials and temptations. Yes there are choices to be made. Life still happens, but you can rest in His hands knowing that you are His. "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows", Matthew 10:31 (NASB1995). His eyes see all things even the sparrow when it falls from the sky and you are His child if you are in Him. Do you not know that He cares for your every need?

Joshua 24:15 (NASB1995):

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom

you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .”

Today is where we must live. Today is where we can make adjustments and change the course of things. Today is when we decide to rejoice or stay in sorrow. What will you do today? Learning to trust Him is a process. Are you willing to go through that process to walk more closely with Him? Are you willing to give up your will for His? Say yes, go deeper, and be who He created you to be. He will be with you every step of the way. Today is here but tomorrow is not promised and yesterday is gone. Enjoy today, this moment is yours.

In HIs love,

Charissa.