Living in the Present Moment

A friend of mine has suggested that this time of living with COVID-19 is really a call to live even more in the present moment.  I used to think that I did a pretty good job of living in the moment, but I am learning how untrue this is.  As long ago scheduled events drop off my calendar like leaves from a tree in autumn and as I try to figure out what to do each day, I am learning that I am a creature of habit; that I like being productive in a predictable way; that I believe in some longe range planning and that I define myself at least somewhat by my position/occupation.  I believe that each of these things are valuable to a point.  However, when this is all we have, then staying in and appreciating the present moment is a real challenge.

As a person of faith in the divine, in a God who became one of us to show us the way to return to God, I believe that God is in everything.  Even when I find myself in a mess of a relationship or a difficult decision or trying to negotiate the challenges of living through this pandemic, I believe that God is here. And I believe that God is all I need; that God is all I have.  And yet, there is still that voice inside me that wants to plan and define and know what the next steps are and how to get there. 

I have heard that we are headed to a “new normal.”  I have felt it and said it myself.  But even that is in the future.  I have asked myself the question, “who will I be when we are on the other side of this?” This too is a statement about some future state.  The fact is, we are here NOW.  The life we are living today is so important.  We are not just marking time until the virus is passed.  As women and men of faith, we are called to live each day to the fullest.  We are reminded to seek God today and in that search, we will find hope and meaning. 

What does this living in the moment look like?  For each of us it is different, but there are some common elements.  First of all, though we might be making some plans, this means that what is most important is what we do and say today.  Secondly, in the living of today, we do the very best we can and we are satisfied with it.  It may be that today the best I can do is get out of bed, get dressed and walk the dog.  On another day, perhaps I reach out to another on the phone, through the mail or email.  Maybe today is a day just to sit, read a book and have a cup of tea.  And for others, the day may be full of work or school.  How we fill our days is not the point.  The call to live each day is that we simply put one foot in front of the other in whatever way we are able. Finally, I believe that living in the moment also involves asking God to bless each moment.  Whether in a morning offering or a night prayer and examen or something in between.  Invite God in to these moments. This will further your relationship with God and will give you strength and courage to move to the next moment.

Perhaps we are headed to a “new normal” but let’s not forget to live now in the “normal” we have been given. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is ours to do?

Image
 This is a blog post I offered to God's Word, Many Voices and thought I would share it here as well. Sue Monk Kidd, in her book Dance of the Dissident Daughter asks the question:   After you wake up, can you wake up anymore?”   I thought of that quote as I prayed with St. Paul’s message to the Thessalonians both last week and this one.   “Stay alert and sober” he admonishes.   I don’t know about you, but too many days during this time of COVID-19 and the build up to the elections, I have wanted to do just the opposite, pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep.   And yet sleep has often been illusive as I have tossed and turned, imagined and feared, hoped and dreaded.   So what might Paul be saying to me in this time and place of November 2020?   What is the call? I turn to the Gospel for today.   It is the familiar story of the distribution of talents and the servants who use and multiply their talents and the servant, who out of fear of retribution, buries the talen
Read more

Fan that flame into fire

Image
  It is Election Day and somehow it feels safe for me to once again take up my keyboard and jot some musings.   I have found these past months with the political drama, the civil unrest and COVID-19, that I am exhausted.   How about you?   I try to focus on my work and friends and family, but everything I do is colored by these realities.   I cannot plan to see my friends or family without figuring out how to do it safely.   I have become adept with the technologies of FaceTime, ZOOM and kids messenger.   Reimagining how do to everything takes so much energy.   At Bethany House we talk of how “open” can we get the shelter and food pantry and keep the guests and volunteers safe.   At Church, I cannot bring communion to those who really have a desire to receive because I am afraid I might bring them more than the Eucharist.   With friends, we negotiate any type of gathering with questions like “how comfortable are you with …” or should we just ZOOM?   The political drama playing itse
Read more

Could we move any slower?

Image
Last week was kind of a “slow starter” sort of week. Not every day, or every part of every day, but as I look back on the week, that certainly characterizes the week.   What do I mean?   Well, most mornings it was hard to get up and start the day.   I did not feel unwell, but I did not feel “right” either.   My early morning prayer time seemed more like a time of trying to quiet the noise in my head than a time of listening for the presence of God.   Sitting down to whatever tasks of the day seemed like navigating through a sea of molasses.   And there were some “tasks” that did not get done – like the writing of these reflections. So here I am, at the start of a new week with some new energy and renewed direction.   This time of “stay at home” orders and living daily with the reality of COVID-19 is unlike any we have ever experienced. For many of us, our usual coping mechanisms aren’t quite up to the task.   And the stressors are new and different too, so moving through this t
Read more