Being in the Present of Joy

One of the lessons that I feel that I continually need to learn is to 'be in the present." So often I feel like I am missing the moment that is happening because I am thinking about things that have already happened or I am planning things that are yet to come. Being either in the past or the future robs me of the joy of the moment that is currently happening right under my nose.

I notice this the most when I am with others and my children, I guess because so often I'm functioning with my children but not 'really connecting with them in the moment.' Now I don't need to be too hard on myself because I truly love to talk with my children and I most certainly do. But I also know that there is a lot that I miss. I want to learn how not to.

My cousin Jen brings this out the most to me. She can be in my home a mere minute or less before she is all smiles and giggles over what someone is doing or has said. I find myself asking her, "What's so funny?" She usually looks at me like, are you kidding, didn't you just hear what he said? Or she'll say, "Watch his face as he does that again! It's hilarious!"

                 Where did these moments become so common to me that I don't see them?                                   

God is blessing me with such smiles and joy if only I'd take the time to really be in the present where they are found. How often do I pull the jeans down over Zayne Cael's too big boots and not stop to see the big blue eyes and dirty little smile underneath the way too big cowboy hat? Or what about the mismatched outfit that has been picked out and put on all by themselves? They deserve a good chuckle in their own right. And a chuckle boosts my spirits.

       The world looks different when we stop to look and laugh.