The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Season(s) of a year or life (01/13/11)
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 118:1-14

Bible Verse: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

As the snow continues to fall from the sky, I look out the window and grumble to myself, I can’t wait for summer to come. I’m so tired of the cold. However I know in six months, I’ll be grousing about how hot it is and how much I deplore the sweat that will be dripping down my face.

I lift my eyes towards Heaven and beg God to forgive my petulance. It seems I spend most of my life wishing it away. Whether it be wanting different weather or feeling impatient about being stuck behind a slow driver, I’m often in a hurry to get on to the next part of my life without taking the time to stop and enjoy the moment I’m in right this second.

If I’m in the doctor’s waiting room, instead of checking my watch and complaining that the doctor is never on time, I could bring my IPOD and listen to my music and praise God with the songs coming through my ear buds. Driving in the car is the perfect place to spend some quiet one on one time with my Savior. I notice when I pray, the red light doesn’t seem to be overly long.

As I look out the window, my eyes should focus on the beauty of the snow and ice in the trees. There are many people in this world that will never see the beauty of a cardinal perched on a snow covered bird feeder. I am quite blessed indeed.

Somehow, while I was wishing for the next thing to happen in my life, my babies grew up amazingly fast. Two of the three are off on their own, working or at college. My youngest only has a mere eighteen months left at home before she heads to college. I definitely comprehend the meaning of the phrase, “empty nest syndrome” and my nest isn’t even totally empty yet.

Part of me wishes I could go back and relive all those moments where I complained that the leaves were falling from the trees and it would be such a chore to rake, or wondered why did the kids need to walk in the mud and then track it throughout the house. But then that wouldn’t be productive either. Instead of wishing my life forward, I’d be wishing it backward. No, I need to live in the moment and enjoy every second God has given to me on this beautiful earth.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Thank You for the beautiful snow draped on the trees. Thank You for loving me enough to remind me that I need to live in the present. You have blessed me with a wonderful family and my heart is content in the knowledge that You are in control of all things. Amen.

Quote for the Day: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. ~Babatunde Olatunji
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1262 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Colin Swann
01/23/11
Thanks for the devotional that suggests we take things in, instead of flitting by without noticing. We don't have red cardinals in our country but I saw a beauty when I was in the States.
AnneRene' Capp
01/23/11
What a wonderful inner self portrait, testimony and reminder to all of us! You had me reminiscing at my own self indulgence on everyone of yours. :)
Brenda Rice
01/23/11
Thanks for reminding me that I need to live right this moment. Life is short, don't waste. You made a good point.
Carol Penhorwood 
01/23/11
Right on, Shann! I needed that reminder to experience and appreciate every moment. It is too easy when we are not feeling well to keep thinking of "some" day. Thank you.
Laury Hubrich 
01/23/11
Very nice entry. I relate to it completely. I've found myself wishing my days away - always ready for the next thing. Awesome devo!
Beth LaBuff 
01/23/11
Oh wow, I can so relate to your message, especially getting to the next season of life. I try to remember how cold winter was when we're in the midst of a heat wave and visa versa. :) I had to smile at your praying during a red light. (that's perfect!) Your "Quote for the Day" brightened mine!
Rachel Phelps
01/24/11
What a wonderful reminder. The message is conveyed engagingly. Well done.
Sarah Elisabeth
01/25/11
I absolutely loved this devotion! It spoke right to my heart. Excellent job!
Mona Purvis
01/26/11
In a contest/challenge where we judge the writing ability in many measures, this gave me pause.
Is anything better than the written word that affects another to stop and think? In this we have a winner, not because of an 'out-of-the-box' piece, but because of something worth saying was written.
I needed this. Thank you.
Edmond Ng
01/26/11
We certainly need to live in the moment and enjoy every second God has given to us on this beautiful earth! May all of us be always thankful and grateful to God and may our hearts be content in the knowledge that God is in control of all things. Thank you for sharing this devotional. God bless.
Tracy Nunes 
01/29/11
I could SO relate! It's amazing how many precious moments we waste wanting to be in a different one. I liked your reminder to be in the now. I needed that today.