Happy in the Here and Now

"Wherever you are, be all there."  ~Jim Elliot

For much of our lives, we spend time dreaming of what is to come.  For example:

When we are little, we want to be big so we can ride amusement rides and do things our older siblings are allowed to do!

When we are in Jr. High we dream of being in high school so we can drive a car, go to Prom, and have a "serious" boyfriend/girlfriend.

When we are in high school we dream of being in college so we can stay out at night and make our own rules.

When we are in college we want to be done with school and have no more teachers and papers.  

We want to get married.

Once we are married we want the dream honeymoon and the perfect job and a shiny new car.

Then we decide after a few years that we must have a baby and we can only be a happy couple if we're a family.

Then we have a few kids and we think- I need a vacation!  I'll be happy when I get away from these kids...and lose 20 pounds.

Then our kids get into high school and they get mouthy and we think- I can't wait til my kids are out of the house and I'll have time to myself.

Then the kids move out and we marry them off and we think: wow, things are quiet.  Now I need some noise around here!  I'll start bugging those kids of mine to have some grandbabies.

I think you get the point.  We are never happy where we are-- in the here and now.  We are always waiting for that next thing that is going to make us happy:  the marriage, a baby, more money.  Instead of focusing on our life right now: we waste all of our time focused on the future.

I have been so guilty of this in the past! I think one time Brian actually asked me, "Are you ever happy? What can I do to make you happy?"  (Ouch!)

But for the first time in my life, I can say I'm happy in the right now.  In fact, I'd be happy if I could freeze time and wake up to smiles from a crib, chubby feet chasing the cats, and sloppy kisses everyday.  (Not that it is easy everyday- but it is worth it everyday).  I don't want to wish my life away any more.  I want to live it.

"Wherever you are, be all there." 

  ~Jim Elliot 

Are you all there?  Are you living in the moment of your life or wishing it away for something that may make like easier or more fun?  Are you focusing on what's really important?

Life is short.  The Bible says we pass through life like a shadow (Eccl. 6). Life will never get any better than it is now.  Repeat: Life will never get any better than it is now.  I can say that with confidence because when I wake up every morning, it's how I choose to live my day.  If I am full of worry and discontent, my life will be full of worry and discontent.  But if I choose to embrace the day and live it like it's my last, each day will be the best day.

Wherever you are, be all there.