Can you live for today?

Is it possible for us as humans to truly live for today?

I’ve thought about this as we are all suddenly unable to make any long range plans. I’m not really a huge planner, but I like having things written down on my calendar to look forward to. I was going to be busy in April teaching Sunday School, practicing for Celebrate Life, having a special meeting with my Calhoun Area Writers, doing a trail run and going to see Hamilton at the Fox. Now there are just empty blocks.

Jesus tells us in his Sermon on the Mount to not worry about tomorrow.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Mt. 6:34)

I’ve struggled with this verse. Of course we have to worry about tomorrow – we have to plan financially, make reservations for trips, think about what is in the house to eat.

But now we find ourselves in a situation where we can’t plan. We don’t even know what is going to be in the grocery store when we go. We don’t know when life is going to feel safe again. We are literally having to do it one day at a time.

I think animals have the ability to live in the present in a way that we as humans do not. This is good and bad. When our grand dog Molly stays with us for more than a few days, she becomes resigned and a little depressed. Even though we have lots of fun and go on walks and she gets plenty of love and treats, it’s not her home and Keith and I are not Adam and Jess. Her dog mind can’t wrap around a time frame of a few days and then she will be back with her people. All she sees is today.

On the flip side, when she is back in her familiar surroundings, and especially during these weeks when Adam and Jess are with her 24/7 while they are working from home, she is content.

Unlike Molly, we have the advantage of being able to look ahead and have hope. What we need to learn from her is being content with where we are.

Our human brains know this will someday end but our human brains also start worrying about all the “what-if’s”. That’s where we get in trouble.

Honestly, I don’t know if we will ever be back to normal. but our new normal may be more focused on who is important to us and realizing that we spend too much of our time filling it up with activities.

I’m finding some freedom in the lack of planning. Not feeling the pressure to constantly fill up my calendar page is releasing.

I don’t know if I can ever get to a place where I don’t worry at all, but Jesus is trying to get me to understand that no matter what is coming tomorrow, He will be there with me.

So today I’m going to be thankful for the beautiful blue sky, being with Keith and friends to talk to!