So last week Mr. OverKill told me that I needed to stop and smell the roses. I’ve been thinking about that a lot over the weekend. The constant parade of things to be accomplished, places to go, people to see. They are good things, but I need to learn to focus on and enjoy what is going on right in front of me, not what’s coming around the next bend.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
–James 4:13-16
So, making my own agenda and then dwelling on it my head can be arrogance, or pride! It makes me think of a little kid shouting “Look what I can do!” Ouch!
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.—Proverbs 16:9
No matter what my plans are, He is establishing my steps. So, when my day doesn’t go my way, I need to remember that the Lord is establishing my steps. And, I can trust that He is putting me where I need to be, when I need to be there.
So, how do I “stop and smell the roses?” One friend suggested that I grab a rose and take it with me, which really is good advise. I need to find the “roses” in every situation. I need to try to find a way to enjoy each moment! So, how?
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
-Philippians 4:8
It comes back again to my thoughts. I have to choose to think on positive things, and not allow my brain to race ahead to the “next thing.” I need to focus on the hear and now and enjoy every minute of it.
It will require some serious discipline on my part…to retrain my brain not to rush ahead, but to slow down and enjoy the moment!
How did I miss this post!? :)
You mean I got one past you??? No way!