Don't Miss Today!

As I child, I enjoyed listening to my mom's long play records. One of her favorite genres was folk music. A wistful song from one of her albums offers an important reminder: "Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine, I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows may all pass away e'er I forget all the joy that is mine today." Today calls out for attention; don't let its beauty and power be lost on you.

In this beautiful day, God may beguile you with the sweet scent of honeysuckle overflowing a fence. While you long for a cottage in the English countryside, he may point out the hills of Richwood Valley, which become deeper blue as they near the horizon. You may share secrets and laughter with your beautiful friends. Wow, you are blessed to have them! Today you may commune with God in the mysterious and wonderful relationship between the human and the divine- how awesome is that? Did you notice how handsome your husband is? He is a sight to behold; do you see that? You can unlock the beauty of today if you will attune your eyes to seeing it.

Besides being beautiful, realize that today has power. Motivational speaker M.J. Ryan in her book, "This Year I Will..." underscores a simple concept for achieving a goal: focus on today. Yesterday, you may have polished off a bag of Cheetos and a huge piece of chocolate cake. OK, that was yesterday! Let yesterday be a distant memory as today you focus on your goals for healthy eating and exercise. As I walked today, I said to God, "Help me do better with my thought life." The word that dropped into my heart was today. Suddenly, that prayer became much more powerful and concrete. Today communicates intentionality rather than wishy-washy desires. Matthew 6:34 says, "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." If I think I cannot have Andy's frozen custard for months, that is discouraging; I may just give up! But if I think about achieving my health goals for today, that is doable. That is powerful. And that's good for the heart and soul.

He chose me!

How that single diamond sparkled on my finger like a wave in the sunshine! I moved my hand gently about, admiring the light refracting from its facets. My heart understood the symbolism of that ring: I was "taken," chosen, and by such a man! Soon, I was to be fully his, and he mine, forever.

Pastor preached today about the concept of election: "For [God] chose us in him before the creation of the world..." (Ephesians 1:4). Some find this to be controversial; it does not seem fair for God to choose some and not others. How can some be condemned to hell if God did not choose them for heaven? This mystery cannot be fully explained, but it is something we each can personally understand. What I know is this: he chose me. Before he set about creating the universe, he already knew I would be one of his. He knew that if he just crooked his finger at me, I would waste no time running to his side. If he whispered my name, I would respond to him. He knew my heart would thrill at the closeness I felt with him during worship. He knew I would cherish the times he spoke to my heart. When I expressed emotion and offered petition in a language unknown to me, he knew the release and intimacy I would feel. In short, he knew that, to me, he would be irresistible. It was a sure thing that I would choose him, but he chose me first. I am his, and he is mine, forever.