Articles
Things We Take For Granted
Longing for the past or dreaming for the future, we miss the moment. We miss the opportunity to savor the moment. Have you ever said, “Where did time go?” We find life passing quickly from us and fail to give a single thought about it rushing by.
The other day I was talking with Noah about opportunities to preach through the years. The conversation was motivated by something I read recently. Also, I was cleaning out, cleaning up, and updating some old files. I was taken back by how many opportunities, and how broadly they have been, to preach. I was encouraging him to stop and enjoy the moment. I did not always do that. I know I took some of those opportunities for granted. “Oh well, they will always be there.” But they are not always there. When they are not, then I realize how much I enjoyed them, but missed out. Now, each and every opportunity I cherish and value deeply.
Further, our lives are comprised of millions of little moments. When we are young, we feel like there is an endless supply. Again, we take them for granted, until…something tragic happens to shake us from our sleepwalking through life. Does it need to take a moment like that for us to cherish those millions of little moments? No present moment should be discarded lightly. God gives us life. He gives us time. To throw it away reflects poorly on Him.
When I think of those millions of moments, I think of those moments with my children, especially when they were little. I could not wait for them get out of diapers and grow up. I was so busy fighting through life, trying to make it, that I missed out on those little cherished moments. It took me a long time to wake up to see how really precious they were then, and how precious they are today.
The same can be said of Jody. When we were newly married, she was the spiritual strength. How many moments did I slum off her spiritual mind? How often did I take her for granted?
The same is equally true of our parents. They will not always be here with us. I am fortunate that both of my parents are still alive. I know I have taken them for granted through the years. I have missed opportunities to be with them and tell them how much I love them.
Consider, our challenge is that we know all this. We all know it should not take some big event to motivate us to appreciate the little moments. We know we must not let life pass us by. We must have eyes to see and hearts to appreciate them. We must cherish them. We have to be willing to look up, not just down all the time. We must never underestimate the value and gift of the present moment. Days are filled with moments that we should be thankful for. Days are filled with moments that are enjoyable and useful.
Let’s value each moment. While we long for the past and dream of the future, we must keep our eyes and heart on the present.
Rickie Jenkins
