Right Here, Right Now

Right here, right now all is well in our corner of humanity. Emily is safely back at college, dating a nice boy who brings her flowers. Hillary is raising our grand girl well, her husband helicoptering around her. Chellsei has applied to college and appears on track to be accepted into more than one. Kaily is finishing up junior year strong, her crazy German is here visiting her. Savannah is going to her first dance on Wednesday, her dress makes her look very grown up. Harley started a prayer 'cup' at home, her requests are often for family time or others to know Christ. Matty loves his job, heading into college later this summer to become a C.N.A. And me....well, I'm actually kind of cranky. But that is just the way it is right now.

Any moment, these things can change. In the blink of an eye, the whole world can fall apart. One year ago, we were getting ready to go to Disneyland. Shortly after that, Matty lost his job and our world was turned upside down. We survived, pulled ourselves up and have settled into a normal. It doesn't always happen that way. We're just blessed with God's grace through it.

A week ago, I realized that this time next year, Kaily will be graduating. And then headed off to college. Emily will be a junior in college later that fall. And we will only have 2 girls at home. As a woman who has defined herself as "mom of 6 girls" I'm not quite sure what this new puzzle will look like. It will be quieter and Savannah and Harley will have their own rooms. We'll even have an extra room for t.v.s and such. In another few years, we could have more than one son in law and perhaps even more grandchildren. Right here, right now.....everything is still the normal we've created.

In a couple weeks, Kaily's Simon will be going home. And by home, I mean Germany. Right here, right now they're looking at the next couple weeks with joy. I see ahead to the last moments at the airport. She cried for 2 days last time....I'm sure it will be harder this time. How often do we not enjoy the right here and now? How often do we allow the thought of the "after" effect us? How often do we skip over the good parts because we know the bad parts are coming? And maybe they're not even bad....just different from what we want. We get stuck in the struggle of what we think will happen rather than enjoy what IS happening. Our minds get so caught up in what we don't want to happen.

We get stuck. Stuck in the way we wish the world was different, our own lives different. We get stuck thinking of all the things we have to do and ignore the things we GET to do. We live so often for the tomorrows that may or may not come, we forget to live for the right here, right now. I want the girls to enjoy their moments. I've never had a boy fly across the world to see me...what a story she can someday tell. It's been a long time since I've gotten flowers, what a memory for Emily. Hillary gets to go through all those amazing milestones that moms get to see...what joy for her and Jeremy! Chellsei is following what the Lord wants for her, what a testimony to the world. Savannah will always remember her first dance...and that her fabulous dress only cost $3.00! Harley gets to enjoy sharing the gospel, what a blessing to those around her. Matty gained self confidence this year, what a strength to our family! Me....well, i see all around me the ways God has provided. I've seen His hand in all aspects of my life over the past year. He has reminded me that tomorrow takes care of itself. Whatever struggles you have....He sees them. He shoulders them and doesn't want you to try to carry them on your own. He doesn't want you to live in the 'after'. He wants you to live in the Right Here, Right Now.

So do it. Whatever you're doing, enjoy it. See it as the gift this day is, this moment is. Take the joy (even if you think there is none) and be willing to live it. Right here, Right now.

And...don't forget to eat dessert. Life is too short to ignore sugary goodness.