This Day Only

Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (NRSV)

The greater part of my years has been focused on getting through one stage of life to another stage. As a child, I couldn't wait to be a teenager; then, as a teenager, I wanted to be an adult. Things like marriage, jobs, and children filled my life with purpose. My children grew up and left home, and soon there were only two of us. Instead of focusing on the family's needs, we now found time to consider our own desires.

The money that had been spent on education and other goals for our children could now be spent on the things that we had dreamed about. Saving for our own future after retirement became an important factor.

Before we realized that the calendar had changed, we reached retirement. There were days of travel and the fulfilling of dreams.

One day, I paused to take inventory. The Lord had given me a good life with most of the blessings I'd asked Him for, but time was running out. Yesterday had been good. What would tomorrow bring?

Thoughts came into my mind. God has brought you safe this far — trust Him the rest of the way. I recalled the words of today's Scripture, written long ago by a Hebrew poet who was contemplating the same thoughts.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is unknown. Today is the only time we truly have. Why not take life one day at a time, and enjoy it to the fullest? It is a valuable gift from the Lord.

We can all learn from the psalmist. This is the day the Lord has made. We can all rejoice and be glad in it.

Prayer: Lord, You have given us this day to use and enjoy. Make our choice of its use one that will promote Your kingdom and bless those with whom we come in contact. We thank You for the yesterdays, and we give to You our tomorrows. Today is ours to use to the best of our ability. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.