The Now

We laugh at children and their problems. The vegetables that they cry over, the toy their brother won’t let them have, the nap they have to take when they want to do something else. “I wish my problems were only that big,” we say.

 But this very petulance is part of the essence of childhood. The focus on the present, the now. The little discomforts seem so big to them because they cannot see the future and many times have disregarded the past.

 This focus on the present is also what enables children to notice the tiny bug with a hint of blue on its back and the perfect petals of a flower. It’s why they collect leaves and rocks and feathers. It’s why they forgive and move on.

 Many times in our adult world, we forget about the present. We spend so much time looking at the disasters of the past or the fears of the future that we forget the now. And the now is what God has given us to live. If we can let go of things past and things to come, we, too, will begin to notice things we’ve never seen before.

 In childish wonder we will see the Love of our Father as if it is the first time. We will note with amazement the way the brotherhood comes together in times of need. In absolute joy we will take in the Sunday message and the songs that are sung, delighted at the way it all flows together and speaks to the individual needs of our hearts.

We, too, may sometimes feel unhappy about the things life calls us to, but living in the now we will learn to look honestly at the reasons for our anger, disappointment, or jealousy. Instead of blaming our past ("I've never been good enough") or fearing the future ("But what if I never do get invited again?") we learn a new type of acceptance for the life we are living.

 Letting go of the past and handing the future over to God takes a special kind of child-like submission. It calls for a trusting humility and a complete surrender.

 Next time you see a child fussing over something small, remember that they are living in the moment, and that living in the moment also causes little things to bring excitement. For Jesus says still today, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16)

 So here is to this day, this hour, this moment. Here is to being honest with ourselves when we are feeling grumpy. Here is to living in childlike wonder and amazement. Here is to the childlike spirit that will lead us closer to the Father whose love for us transcends the past and sees beyond the future. Live today. Live the Now. Live it with Him.