The art of choosing "the now"

Ever been hit by a dodgeball? Like a REAL dodgeball that they show is the movies? Us Afrikaans kids grew up playing dodgeball but it was called“bok in die hok”. Oh my goodness how I remember being hit by that ball and the burning pain that shot through my body...how on earth I ever categorized that as “fun” my adult mind cannot comprehend.

So forward to my adult life. My life as a wife, my life as a mom...we all know how the unexpected happens unexpectedly. I, for one am not one who copes TOO well with sudden unexpected changes or happenings.

Depending on the situation, I sometimes need time to prepare myself emotionally for whatever may lay ahead.

This weekend we went and spent a little time away from our daily routines and happenings. We needed it...sometimes life is so full of distractions, work and people that one tends to forget to just sit and do “stock-take” of your life.

The last while I’ve been constantly hearing the words “choose the now” in my heart. I was a bit confused for a while...because how on earth do you do that?

How, in today’s life at least, does one manage to only focus on what is happening NOW?

I am a bit of an over-thinker. I tend to let my mind wonder off to the future and what it may hold etc, which is not a bad thing if one directs it correctly....but for myself, I tend to go down the worry lane.

This past Monday, after our weekend away, we had to take our precious little girl of 3yrs back to the specialist to talk all things about her next operation, the road ahead for her, what we as parents need to focus on, what she needs next etc. AGAIN...I heard the words “choose the now”.

And for the first time I realized what it means....

If I had to start thinking, over analyzing and be consumed about the road that lies ahead for us with our little girl, I would be an emotional mess!! I don’t think I would be capable of enjoying the small, fun, pretty and cute things regarding our family/life today.

My thoughts and heart would be SO consumed with worry and anxiety regarding the things our daughter will have to go through that it may in all honesty consume and overwhelm me.

No wonder God says His grace for us is sufficient for TODAY!! If I want to use some of tomorrow’s grace today, what will become of me tomorrow?

Life is tough. It hurts at times. It sometimes comes out of no where and hits you in the pit of your stomach. Much like the game of dodgeball.

But it’s what we make with the NOW that will influence how bumpy or smooth our road ahead will be.

Choosing to enjoy the now. Choosing His sufficient grace for today. Choosing to not be anxious about anything, but to make our requests known to Him is what will help us to master the art of “choosing the now”.

We all have our obstacles or battles. Some bigger than others, but still something we have to overcome and face nonetheless...may we deliberately CHOOSE to not be overwhelmed by the worry of tomorrow, but to rest in the now. Knowing we are covered: today and tomorrow.

Renske

xxx