Focal verse
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).
Reflection
We’re thick in the middle of summer. Our mornings don’t have us rushing out the door, and our days are spent at the pool. One afternoon at the library, my soon-to-be-fifth grader, Charlotte, turned to me and said loudly, “I’m excited for school to start!” She knows we have about a month until classes start, and she’s ready. A classmate of hers heard her exclamation and immediately responded, “I don’t want to think about that yet! Let’s just enjoy summer right now.”
I understand both sentiments. Maybe you do too.
Perhaps you’re balancing work and child care every day. Maybe you’re listening to early morning disagreements over toys and what to watch on TV. You might have heard “I’m bored” too many times to count. Maybe you’re still hoping to get items checked off your summer bucket list.
Parents can have a hard time staying present when they’re looking forward to something or waiting for the next milestone or just counting down the hours until they get a break. There’s always a list of things to do and meals to prepare. There’s the constant news cycle and wondering if we’ll ever have peace. We may want to fast-forward to a different time, a calmer time, a time of peace and hope.
But we can’t. We have only this moment. We can’t predict the future, but we can pray for God’s kingdom to come here on earth. We can’t keep our children young, but we can rejoice at all they’re learning and accomplishing. We can give thanks for the gift of right now.
This month, take time to be present. Look at your children and see how they jump in the pool with cannonballs or immerse themselves in the latest Dog Man book. Savor the fresh garden produce and catch fireflies together. Be where your feet are, and give thanks.
Practices
Pick a day for your family to go screen-free. No phones, TV or tablets. Plan outdoor activities or simply let the day unfold. See how time stretches when you’re not connected to your phone, and give thanks for the people and experiences before you.
Read Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant (Beaming Books, 2017) and think about how you see and feel God in your day-to-day lives.
Prayer practice
Watch a sunrise or sunset together as a family. Grab a blanket or lawn chairs and sit together without phones or electronics. Listen to the sounds around you. Name the plants and animals you see. Give thanks for this moment and this day. Say a prayer together: Dear God, thank you for another day to be present to your world. Help us to keep our eyes open to the beauty of creation: birdsong, wildflowers and wispy clouds. Right now is the best place to be. Amen.
