CHERISH is the Word

  “I promise myself I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given to me to live.” 

– Thich Nhat Hanh

How appropriate, then, that the word of the day in my “Oh, My Word” workbook turned out to be cherish.

Of course it takes me back to my teenage years and the hours I spent in my bedroom listening to David Cassidy’s version of the song by that name. Back then it spoke to me of unrequited love… a song of regret. Today the word has a different meaning – an instruction to hold close the minutes of this day I’ve been blessed with, and to live them without regret – to express love, to laugh long and loudly… to enjoy the treasures of this time before they pass away with the day itself.

Naturally I have plans and purposes to pursue – a lunch date with a friend, a good book to read, and dinner with family tonight to look forward to. But the overriding theme of the day should be to enjoy every moment… without wasting thought or breath on what’s not getting done… to simply enjoy to the fullest what is.

I choose to cherish this day and the minutes and the moments it contains because it’s a one-shot deal: don’t miss; you don’t get a second chance.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

(Psalm 118:24 KJV)

Bound by a BOOK

“I had to stop my day to finish this book” was a simple statement I happened to see online.

I had that kind of day yesterday, and it was glorious. It had been too long since a book so grabbed my interest that I just couldn’t put it down.  Especially surprising was that it was a work in a genre that I would never have picked on my own; I was copying my kids’ idea of picking reading material that fit in one of a list of random selection prompts in an attempt to get themselves out of a reading rut. Instructed to “pick a book with a purple cover”, I was dismayed at first to realize the story was a murder mystery with vampire undertones… something I never would have selected on y own, But once the pages started turning, I found I couldn’t stop their progress until I knew how it was all resolved.

At first I tried to hold on to my to-do list for the day, promising myself I could read a few more chapters after each item was checked off. But as I reached the end of the volume I just couldn’t put it down anymore, so gave up on the list and gave in to the pull of the book. I loved it and hope I experience the same again soon, hopefully in my next read.

How wonderful when this happens as a spiritual experience, as well! Perhaps you are looking for something new in your walk with God, even on a daily basis… and suddenly are sucked into some new throught or way of seeing Him that so captivates you that you find you simply can’t let it go… and after teasing yourself with it for a while you finally just give in and experience it fully, for whatever purpose He may have in it for you.

I hope it happens to me again today!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” 

(Psalms 34:8 NIV)

 

ASK God

One particular passage of Scripture stuck out to me in my Bible reading today: “Saul said, ‘Let’s go after the Philistines tonight and rob them. We won’t let any of them live!’ The men answered, “Do whatever you think is best.’ But the priest said, ‘Let’s ask God.’” (1 Samuel 14:36 NCV)

This is the human condition! We make plans, we listen to others’ advice… but God is the One in charge. Why are we so slow to ask Him what it is we should do?

I know that in my own experience it’s because I’m afraid He’ll give me an answer I find hard to accept. There’s a constant battle in my mind, reflected in every decision… “my way, or the High way?”

It’s only 7:30 in the morning and my plans for the day have changed three times, lol. I thought I knew how I was going to spend the hours ahead. Then circumstances changed, so my plans did, too. When a third issue popped up, my plans changed again. I take those changing circumstances in stride, knowing that they are the hand of God moving me in the direction He wants me to go.

Now I know the general plan for the day, and we move into the specifics. What do I do first? If I’ve learned anything from this morning’s reading and the changes made already in so early in the day… I’ll copy that wise priest and say, “Let’s ask God…”!!!

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plaAsk Godns to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

(photo credit: Unsplash/MattWalsh)

 

Rain in Reserve

It hasn’t rained in days.

In California they measure drought in terms of reservoir levels. At times in recent years those levels have dropped alarmingly low.

California is dependent on physical factors of rainfall and snowmelt to increase its water supply. In absence of much of either, the people suffer rationing restrictions to try and make what little water they’ve got last until the next resupply.

How thankful I am that the water of the Spirit flows endlessly from the throne of God, and those who know Him can drink freely and abundantly at any time – the well never runs dry.

Not only do we have enough for our own needs, but we have such an abundance that we are to let it overflow into the lives of others around us who might be feeling a little dry.

Let Your Spirit so sink into me today, Lord, that I can readily offer others a drink.

“The Lord… will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land… You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 NIV)

(photo credit: Unsplash/OliverSchmid)