I went to Wal-mart yesterday.  The Saturday before Christmas at a Wal-mart with 3 of my kids, one of those Cadence.  She drives a shopping cart like it’s the Daytona 500.  I had to be crazy.  But then I saw the Valentine candy on the shelf and knew the whole world had gone mad.

I don’t like the way the retail business jumps ahead to the next holiday before the current one has passed.  They put out the Christmas stuff before Halloween is over (completely skipping Thanksgiving) and stocks the Valentine candy before Christmas comes.  Without a doubt the Easter stuff will be out before Valentines Day is here.  I feel bad for those last-minute Christmas shoppers looking for stocking stuffers.  Their families may find cupid in their stockings on Christmas morning.

We can complain about the retail business all we want, but the truth is we’re not a while lot different.  We’re often looking ahead to what comes next without enjoying the moment.  Especially with December 25th looming in front of us.  We have more count downs than NASA as we surround ourselves with advent calendars and check off days.  We’re so focused on what’s ahead that we forget to embrace the journey.

If we aren’t guilty of planning what comes next then we spend so much time worrying about the future that we totally miss the joy of the present.

It reminds me of these verses in Luke 12:  Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

One thing I’ve learned as a parent is that when kids feel safe, they don’t worry.  They just trust.  They don’t wonder where there next meal is coming from or if they will have all they need, they just trust that we’ll take care of them.  And then they are free to enjoy their life…..today…..right now……in the moment.

Maybe we should do the same?  Trust that God will take care of us.  Stop worrying about the future.  Believe that God is faithful and that He has our best interest at heart.  Enjoy life now.  Here in this moment that He’s given to us.