I couldn’t sleep. Tears flowed as I reflected on the past years with my children. Now they were flying the coop.
Two off to college; the last two in high school. Vacations all different. Family dynamics skewed. No more lively debate every evening. No more weekly games for four.
Adventures in Odyssey, Veggie Tales, Disney movies, imaginary play—all were seldom enjoyed now.
I struggled with it. I didn’t really want to let go of how things were. Even at my weariest, I had still loved the long days of caring for those entrusted to me.
I wanted to hold tight to what was. Fearful I would be missing much in this new reality of what is.
Don’t Miss God
But when we don’t release the past, we miss out on the blessings of the now. As we fixate on the past, we miss the adventure of the next step. We live blind to the beauty of the moment.
When we don't release the past, we miss out on the blessings of the now. Share on X
The Israelites kept holding onto their past after their exodus from Egypt, refusing to see the blessing of the present. They missed God’s work in the now as they longed for what was and feared what was to come.
It didn’t go so well for them. They missed God in their midst and received His wrath for doing so. (Numbers 14; Jeremiah 44)
It’s good to remember the past, the good and the bad, because the lessons we learned guide and grow us. But when we paint it ideal and hold it too tightly, we stagnant as we fail to apply those lessons.
When we paint the past ideal and hold it too tightly, we stagnant as we fail to apply the lessons learned from it. Share on X
In Each Moment
As a child of God, we never leave a time filled with goodness and enter one devoid of it. Because God is always with us, and He is good. His goodness never runs out for those who fear Him.
The Lord was at work in our past, He’s at work in our present, and He’ll be at work in our future.
That makes for an abundance of goodness in the now.
When we step into the moment with confidence and joy, we’re expressing our trust of the Lord’s sovereignty and goodness.
We are never walking into the void of the great unknown, but into the plans of the great I AM.
We are never walking into the void of the great unknown, but always into the plans of the great I AM. Share on X
I could continue to mourn what’s behind, and honestly I have. But better is to embrace the new now.
Because there’s Goodness in each moment I never want to miss.
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19
Reflections: How do you train yourself to be aware of and embrace the moment, to live in the now?
I am thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “Live in the now.” I love special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the image below or links above to check them out.
By His Grace,
Julie
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Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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As an empty nester, this is a great reminder to stay focused on the blessings of this NEW season! Stopping by from #LiveFree Thursday. Keep writing, sister!
Thank you, Kelly! We need the encouragement of those of you who have gone before us.
Love this. Thanks for joining in on #livefreeThursday!
It’s a blessing, Suzie!
What a beautiful reminder, Julie! I’m learning to savor these last few years before my first leaves the nest, and have found myself mourning the loss of those toddler years with my kiddos all too often. Thank you for your words today! #livefreeThursday #liveinthenow
I still miss those younger years, Crystal, but I’m enjoying new blessings in the relationships I have with my older boys.
I think it is so great that you took Suzie’s prompt and wrote about dwelling on the past, and I focused my article at SarahKoontz.com on spending time in the future. I guess different stages of life warrant different responses to the same stimulus. Love it!
It is fun to see how the Lord prompts us, Sarah!
Amen! Exactly the words I needed tonight. I need to not get caught in the negatives of the past, but live in the joy of today.
It can be difficult to let go, but what a blessing to live in the moment. Thank you for your comment, Denise!