Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Living in moment sprouts hapiness

Time was created for man. In God’s eyes there is no time. He always was and will always be. He is the great “I Am.” Our time is limited. Children grow up and leave the nest. Did we spend precious time with them? Our grandparents and parents grow older and are gone. Did we make the moments count?

Time spent loving and listening to a mate, a friend or a child is time well spent. Yet time spent worrying about tomorrow drains the life of “now.” God’s word is for the “now” of our lives.

I keep a little sign on my refrigerator that says, “I have the choice of my attitude.” It keeps my perspective in balance when I am tempted not to live in the “Now.”

If we had only a few weeks or months to live, what changes would we make? Would each day of life become more precious? Would the sky be bluer? Would you suddenly become aware of little things that mean so much? Would you speak to others words of love and appreciation that often times have been left unsaid?

We do get caught up in the cares of this life, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19 KJV).

Trials do come, and patience runs thin, but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that the time to love is too short at best.

To postpone happiness until “this or that happens …” or to say, “If only this would happen, then I would be happy,” is futile. However, if we are not happy now, would we be happy then?

Jesus has told us to live in the “now” of our lives. “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 3:8 KJV). Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may not be, so it is imperative to live and love “now!”

Let us not be so busy that we have no time to live or enjoy family, friends or the great outdoors.

My teaching career with children taught me to “seize the moment.” They have a wonderful way of celebrating life. Savoring the moment and completely abandoning themselves makes life “delicious!”

The brevity of life makes a rose more beautiful, a baby’s face sweeter, a sunrise brighter and a loved one dearer. This present moment, “right now,” is all we have to really live.

Since life is a precious gift from God, please don’t waste a single day of it. Please don’t squander a minute of life by being angry with anyone. Spend this day and every day being joyful and happy. Think about all the good things that have happened to you and be grateful.

Let’s not let anything spoil this day for “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 113:24 KJV).

You can add to your happiness of the day by making someone else happy:

Be grateful for being alive.

Realize where there’s life, there’s hope.

Think positively.

Pray without ceasing.

Be a listener.

Help and cheer up others.

Be a good example.

Look for the good in everyone you meet.

Know God will never leave his child.

Open your heart and let God’s love flow in.

Begin to live today. Live with love and make special moments.

Today is God’s special gift to you.

Today is the best day of your life

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is:

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