Practicing Present

As this year comes to an end and I look back upon it, what did it hold? Am I the same person I was 12 months ago? Are my relationship with others the same? What about my relationship with God?

Starting January, the word God impressed me to pray over was "Present." I have a tendency to often worry about what the future hold or think back on the "remember when..." So, I started the year praying how I could be "happy" about being in the present-in the moment.

And let me tell you. There has been growth in this area; and like physically growing, there have definitely been some growing pains in the process. 

Thinking that it was about being "happy" in every situation seemed to bring more anxiety and stress. But through this year God has journeyed with me to help me realize, it's not about being "happy" in every moment.

This has been a year filled with lots of opportunities to live in the present. A son who graduated from 8th grade and now in High School, changes in family members' health, changes in job roles for both my husband and I. Some events easy to be happy in, others not so much.  In these moments my natural reflex of, "what if this or that happens next," wanted to kick in. 

You know that saying "Don't cross that bridge until you come to it"? In these times, I've crossed and had to come back over many bridges that I didn't need to go over in the first place. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7

This year as God walked beside me, He opened my eyes to realize it's not about being "happy" in every moment-it's about allowing Him to be part of every moment. 

Realizing, I'm not navigating having a teenager as gracefully as I want, is hard. In one of those moments, in church no less, with emotions of frustration at my teenager and tears streaming down my cheeks. God allowed me to be real with some church members who lifted me up and reassured me I am not alone in this. 

Struggling with family who have health issues, I tried to push down my grief and emotion, and instead build a wall, to just be the professional nurse. But God used many people, who chose to be present and see through that wall.  Praying people who shared in opportunities for real emotion and healing to take place. 

Struggling with new changes in a job role. Yes, God is still asking me to plan and work hard. But, not worry about the future or unrealistic expectations that have not been placed on me. 

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Living in the present doesn't me I need to stop dreaming, stop planning, or stop thinking about the future. Living in the present means learning to continuously live in His presence. When I do this, I will not miss out on what God is wanting me to know, to experience-in the now. I will be blessed and enjoying life to it's fullest; happiness, anticipation, sadness, all of it-with Him and through Him.

Just this past week I was walking through the woods with my mother-in-love, who is currently battling with breast cancer. We were talking about the family pictures we were going to be taking. Earlier someone had asked her why we were going to do the pictures this visit. As we walked down that path, arm in arm, her answer,"Because we're all together now. And who knows what the future will hold."

I thank God, that He too, walks with me arm in arm on this journey;
and I can rest assure, that He is the one who holds my future in His hands.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.Ecclesiastes 3:1

Reflection of 2017

At the beginning of 2017, we prayed about the word that would define the year.  My word for the year was Openness.  I had this preconceived notion of what that would mean.  Yet, this year has taught me to be open and not to rely on those preconceived notions.

            This year has been one of the best and worst years I have had.  I have thought that I have been open, but as I reflect, I really have not been.  The reflection is causing me to reevaluate this year.

            I have been open to how I think things should be.  The beginning of the year, I was so close to God.  He had guided me in a direction, or at least that is what I thought. He and I were so close that someone told me that I was glowing from the inside out.

            As I type these words, it is hard to remember that feeling.  The first part of the year was great.  Yes, there were struggles, and challenges.  However, I “knew” what God was going to do. I had the time table all done in my head.

            It is the end of the year, and I see what I thought God was guiding me to slipping further and further away.  Was I mistaken? Did I get it wrong? Did God lie to me?  What did I do wrong?

            With these questions running in my head, it is sobering.  This is not where I want my thoughts to go.  I have to be honest, I am angry and mad at God and at myself that there are things in my life that are not going the direction I thought God was guiding.

            It is hard to admit that. However, I am being open with myself as well as God. There are times in our lives that it is not rainbows and sunshine.  Sometimes, there are dark days, and God is there for then too.          

            God is big enough to take whatever I throw at Him.  He is patient and will continue to guide. Maybe, that is what I am to learn. Openness to questions, and things not going according to plan. Openness to allowing myself to be honest with myself. 

It has taken me most of the year to come to that realization.  This journey is always ongoing.  Openness can be open to change, open with others, open with myself. There are so many meanings to that word.

This year has taught me that I need to be open and honest with the people in my life, as well as myself.  It is okay to be mad and angry with God. It is okay to sometimes not put on the happy face and pretend that everything is okay. 

I hope that you take time this month and reflect on this past year.  God is working on all of us, and we need to be open to that work in our lives.  Sometimes it is not easy, and there are growing pains. Yet, it is life changing.

My prayer for all of you is that you do not lose sight of God.  He is always there and ready to listen to you, even if you are mad at Him.  Just don’t stop talking to Him.

Dear Lord, I pray that those who are reading this reflect on this year.  I thank you for allowing each of us to have this journey with You.  Yes, sometimes we don’t know what You are doing, but You do.  Also, there are things that happen in life that have no explanation at the moment. Yet, I want to be open and keep my eyes on You.

In Jesus’ Name Amen

Laura Maxson 

What Am I Thankful For?

What am I thankful for?  As I reflected on that question, it took me a little bit to come up with an answer. You see, I am kind of going through a little pity party for myself right now.  Life isn’t going as I “planned.”

This question of “What am I thankful for?” is making me reevaluate the important things in my life that I do have.  To look past those things that are darkening my soul and look to those things that are lights in my life.  I want to see the things in life that I am thankful for.

Life doesn’t always go as planned.  In fact, it rarely does. The things in life that I thought I would be doing, I am not. Who I would be or be with, I am not.  I have this imaginary yard stick by which I am measuring my life.

My life is not a bad life. It is just not where I thought I should be.  Maybe that is where we all are at some point in our lives or maybe multiple times in our lives. I know that I am not the only one that can’t see past the “What If or If only” of life?  

I seem to have a lot of “What if?” or “If only?” in my life.  What if I “this” had happened, then my life would be better.  “If only I did this” or “had that”, then life would be perfect.

Lord, I need to look at what I do have, and all the blessings that you have given me. Help me to realize what I have, and be grateful for that.  Help me to see past the “What If” or “if only” and see that what is in my life right now.

Amen

Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

So, what am I thankful for?

I am thankful for the people in my life. Each person in my life adds variety and spice to it.  Without each one of them, I would not be the person I am today. Each person, whether family, friends, or friends that are family and family that are friends, makes my life so much richer.

That is what I am going to focus on, the people in my life and the moments that I have with them. 

After all, you may have everything you ever wanted in life, but if you don’t have people in your life, what is the point. I think that the points in life are the moments that we spend with family and friends.

This month, yes, it is the end of the month, but better late than never, I am going to look at the people that I do have in my life.  I don’t want to dwell on the things or people that I don’t have in my life. Instead, I want to look at the people and appreciate the people I do have in my life.

My family, I feel so lucky that my family and I are close.  I don’t just mean by the physical location of each of us. I am talking about the bond that we have with each other.  Our relationships with each other, is a good thing.  The times we spend together, are moments to treasure.

Two of my best friends don’t live close by, but we are bonded together. They are my family. No distance can come between us.  Through the wonders of cell phones, e-mails, texts, and other devices, I can call them up and we can talk for hours. I am thankful for their love and support through the years. We lean on each other.

Those people I work with, I am thankful for.  Yes, we are all different personalities, but that is what makes it a good thing.  Each one brings something to the table, and that is a good thing.

It is the people in my life that I am so thankful for.  The moments that we have together, make up life. Each one brings special attributes to my life. The memories that we make will last a lifetime.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take you breath away.” (George Carlin)

When I look back, I want to have memories of time with my family and friends.

So, I may not be where I think I should be, but I have people in my life that I love and that love me. There is nothing better than that.

Even if the people are no longer with us, we always have the memories of our times together.

For you reading this, I hope and pray that you find those moments, or people that you are thankful for.   Don’t get so caught up in the “What If” or the “If only” that you lose sight of the what is now.  Count your blessings and moments.

- Laura Maxson