How many times have you eagerly looked forward to your well-executed plans that suddenly went completely askew by unforeseen circumstances?  Unfortunately, it has happened to each of us, and it is typically followed by dismay, exasperation and disappointment.

 I vividly remember some plans that my husband and I made for a fun shopping and dining trip to Chicago.  One lovely afternoon we boarded the train in our city as we frequently do and made our way to the exciting metropolis of Chicago.  By the time the train arrived in the city there was a complete change in the weather, and it was not such a lovely day after all.  It was literally pouring buckets of unpredicted rain along with blustering wind, and we had to walk from the train station for a few blocks to our destination.  I am not talking about a light shower; it was a downpour like I had not observed for a long time.  Our first thoughts were full of disappointment and negativity.  Suddenly we both decided that we were just going to make the best of it and still have fun.  We laughed and trudged along Michigan Avenue as we became drenched from the rainstorm.

We made a special memory that will be with me for a long time.  As I am not usually so accepting of frustrated plans, I learned a beneficial lesson that day.  When you cannot change your circumstances, it may be best to just ‘embrace the moment.’

There are many ways to interpret Philippians 4:11 where it is stated, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” but I like to think it might refer to embracing the moment.  It is easy to become discontented, disgruntled and perhaps even angry when situations don’t go the way we expected, but we might be missing a special blessing or encounter by not embracing the moment.

Jesus encouraged His followers in the Sermon on the Mount to quit living in worry about the future by giving us the example of the birds in the air and the lilies of the field.  He encouraged us to face the challenges and opportunities that arise by putting our faith in Him.   Anxiety dissipates and peace prevails when we learn to trust Him.  Could it be that our degree of fear is relative to the amount of our faith?      

Top

Tea-lightful Inspirations ©2004-2015