All we have is now!

‘There’s only one month left of the decade- make it count!’

I read that sentence last week & had two thoughts:

1. I’d forgotten that we were about to start a new decade (doh!)

2. It’s the month of December between now & then & between work & festivities most of the time is accounted for- never mind the pressure of making it count!

When we contemplate a new year ushering in a new decade,

‘Isn’t it funny how day to day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different’
(CS Lewis)

I agree that
‘The days are long but the years are short’
(Gretchen Ruben)

But between now & the start of 2020,
‘All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.‘
(JRR Tolkien)

Of course between now & then, there are the red letter days of Christmas (&Thanksgiving) but,
‘Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life’ (Anon)

‘Perhaps the most important moments of all turn out to be the ones we walk through without thinking, the ones we mark down as just another day. Just another day we have to get through before something interesting comes along. We benchmark our lives with birthdays & Christmases & holidays, but perhaps we should think more about the ordinary days. The days that pass by & we don’t even notice’
(Joanna Cannon-Three things about Elsie)

And even on days we don’t notice, there’s much awe & wonder (if our eyes weren’t wide shut!)

‘I think life is staggering & we’re just used to it. We are like spoiled children no longer impressed with the gifts we’re given- it’s just another sunset, just another rain loud over the mountain, just another child being born, just another funeral.’
(Don Miller– A million miles in a thousand years)

It’s so true:
‘The beauty of the gospel is all around us, in the parables of our lives, in the hearts of those who believe, in the graces that seem so common but really aren’t common at all. God has filled his people and his world with his glory. Blessed are those who actually look for it. Even if it only looks back at you a few fleeting seconds at a time.’
(Chris Tiegreen)

‘Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; And only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.‘
(Elizabeth Barrett Brown)

‘I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness. It’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention & practicing gratitude
(Brene Brown)

It’s true at Thanksgiving & any time of the year:
‘Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.’
(William Arthur Ward)

All we have is now.

Be present (rather than stress about buying presents)

Spend time (rather than money)

I like the words & the sentiment conveyed by this song ‘We have this moment‘ by the Gaithers:

Blessings,

Ruth x