Embracing the Now – Savoring Life’s Simple Moments! Part Two

“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32:11

Take each moment as it comes and savor the beauty of the present – that is how to embrace the now truly. From today’s Bible verse, the psalmist exhorts us to be happy, rejoice, and shout for joy. In other words, we must be fully alive and engaged in the present moment. Why? Because the Lord is good and righteous, and in Him is our joy. Too often, we allow our minds to be consumed with worries and regrets from the past or anxiety over the future. But the truth is, we only have one day at a time. This moment is all we have. So why not embrace it and savor it? It makes life worth living!”

Be present in the moment. When you’re driving, be in the driver’s seat. When you’re eating, be in the moment and savor the taste and texture of the food. When you’re talking to someone, be fully engaged in the conversation. When you’re walking, feel the textures and sounds of your surroundings. When you’re listening to music, really listen to the music. Also, remember to take time for yourself. Take a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy without stress or obligations. Maybe it’s reading a book, taking a walk, taking a bath, or meditating. Just take a few minutes to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

Joel 2:23 says, “Be glad, oh children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.”

Appreciate the simple things, from the beauty of the sunset, the colors of the trees in autumn, and the snowflakes falling on a winter’s day. Listen to the laughter of children, the sound of the rain, and the song of a bird. Smell the flowers and the bread baking in the oven. Taste the sweetness of a ripe strawberry, a lemon’s tartness, and the ocean’s saltiness. When we take time to be present in the moment and appreciate the simple things, we find joy in life. Making time to enjoy these tiny increments of joy is a great way to connect with ourselves and what matters most. Not only will we feel happier, but it will also help us become more mindful of how far we have come in life’s journey. Remember, this is the Christmas season, a wonderful time of year to celebrate the birth of Christ and reflect on life’s simple moments.

As we gather with family and friends, embracing each other in love, let us take pleasure in this season’s beauty. It is an opportunity to find perspective through gratitude and remind ourselves that Christ is our hope. As the lights twinkle around us, may we be filled with peace and joy from the spirit of Christmas. We can appreciate what has been given to us by reflecting on who we are in God’s eyes as His children. In these moments of togetherness, let us show an abundance of kindness and thankfulness for every blessing bestowed upon us. Psalm 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

Prayer:
1. Every conscious and unconscious negative in my environment that pollutes my mind with negativity and fear, I say dry up now in Jesus’ name.
2. I will continue to experience the Joy of the Lord and the peace of God throughout all my days. In Jesus’ name. Amen.