A few weeks ago, our son ever-so-brilliantly said to me, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today, Mommy.” Well, easier said than done, kid. I was impressed by his young wisdom and his ability to remember Benjamin Franklin’s popular sentiment.

I’ve always found it difficult to stay rooted in the present. My mind tends to wander toward what’s coming next or back toward the things I wish I had done differently.

In fact, I’d argue we all have seasons in life we’d rather skip entirely. Maybe it’s middle school or singlehood. Perhaps it’s the stressful years of the workforce grind, fighting an illness, or wiping snotty noses and changing diapers. You’re wishing for date nights, energy and an appetite, or independent little ones. Looking ahead can feel much more hopeful than what we’re doing right now. There’s this subtle expectation that something better is coming along in a few months, years, or even decades.

When we struggle to be present, we’re often doing one of two things: wishing or worrying.

Sometimes we’re wishing for something different. We wish this season would end, this circumstance would change, or tomorrow would finally bring the thing we’ve been waiting for. We want change, and we want it now! We lose sight of the joy and purpose found in today, and we often assume we’ll be stuck in this spot forever.

Scripture reminds us that tomorrow has never been ours to control. What we have been given is today.

If we’re found wishing too much, we should remember these scriptures:

• “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)
• “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
• “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)

Each day we should be intentional and read His word, drawing from it the strength to live faithfully where He has placed us in that moment and to glorify Him in all we do. 
And when we find ourselves worrying about what is ahead, scripture reminds us that we are not walking into the future alone. These words bring us hope:

• “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
• “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

My grandma often said the phrase, “This too shall pass.” It’s difficult to remember when you are in the midst of a trial or tribulation, but it is true. And it reminds us to be in the here and now—realizing that everything is temporary, including our lives. The difficult seasons will pass, but so will the beautiful ones.

So live it for the Lord! Have confidence that He has good things for us today. We can do what He has asked of us today. We can love the people He has placed in front of us today. We can serve Him faithfully in the circumstances He has given us today. We don’t have to wait for tomorrow, and we don’t have to live in yesterday.

Many of us remember our former Church president saying, “Now is our time.” Not someday. Not when life becomes easier. Not when we finally arrive at the season we’ve been waiting for. Now is our time.

God is in control of all that is to come. Our responsibility is simply to be faithful with what He has placed right in front of us.

Right here. Right now.