Grab ahold of time

It's hard not to write about what's relevant in my life right now, like marriage and relationships. But those aren't the only things going on in my life. I have a career, hobbies, and goals. I like to always think ahead, whether it's to set goals for my days off from work or to list household chores I need to do, I have one step forward and one in the present. But that's not always a good thing.


The other day I sat down just to write out my goals for the summer when I felt the need to pause. I sat there thinking I'm in my own apartment, married, and happy. I have waited for this moment for a long time. Just the simple moment of being able to write out my goals was something I had looked forward to. I am always looking forward to something and yet I find myself in the place that I had looked forward to be in. Already this time is going by so fast and I will be in new places that I have always dreamed of, or even never have thought I would be in.

Embrace the place you're in because you're not going to be there for long. 

We're all different with how we see each day. Some of us stay in the past, some "live in the moment," and others miss the present as they plan for the future. Where do you fit in?

It's great to have vision, to make goals, and plan because once you achieve them all you can go along forward. It's funny because when Joshua and I were engaged I was really in the moment of it all. I loved the excitement, the anticipation, and all the hard work because I knew it will pay off and I knew what the end goal was. Since I knew where I was going I felt safe in that moment. The season of engagement was fun. Now in marriage, I am planning and planning all that I would like for us to do because we can now do more.

Yet in all that planning, I don't want to miss the now. I need those moments of pause.

Enjoy the now. Be in the present now. Even being in the present takes focus. Where is your focus?

Focusing on the past just takes you away from the present; focusing on the future just takes you away from the present. Grab ahold of where you are now and see how steps will be placed ahead of you just so you will reach those plans.

Even if I'm having a hard day, I tell myself that I'm not going to be in that place for long. Knowing that time never stops gives me a comfort and peace to know that things will pass. But it can also add pressure to be mindful not to waste it. 

There are some people whose time was taken away from them. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone and yet we keep pushing things aside for a later time. Knowing that time is valuable and fleeting should encourage us to be useful with it and to know that it's a blessing to have more time on this earth.

Take moments to pause and see if what you're doing is worth your time. Maybe hours of watching reruns of your favorite show isn't the best way to spend your time. Once in a while is fine, but are you doing something mindless and wasteful more than once in a while? Those are memories that are not even worth sharing! What you do in your time here will leave a certain legacy, what do you want to be known for?

A lot of deaths are coming to light these days with shootings, abortions, and freak accidents. Life is valuable, too valuable to waste.

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
— Ephesians 5: 15-17

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
— Proverbs 16:9