Enjoy the Moment

​Moments.
Recently I have written about enjoying the day and enjoying the journey.
Today I will discuss enjoying the moment.
Life journeys are made up of days. Days are about hours and minutes. You and I pay close attention to our time pieces whether it is an old-fashioned clock, Apple Watch or digital time displayed on our I-phones.
Tick tock, tick tock. Hours and minutes tick off. As time marches relentlessly on, what about the moments during the hours and minutes?
A month or so ago, while I was enjoying downtime in our family room with Jo Ann and our dog Daisy, the Lord said to me as clear as the day “Steve, I want you to enjoy the moments of life. This moment.”
Moments matter.
Steve, enjoy the moment. That word has challenged me. Encouraged me to not let moments that matter pass by.
I believe Jesus enjoyed the moments in His life and wants us to enjoy our moments too.
In John 10:1-1 we read the parable of the Good Shepherd. In verse ten, Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I came that they might have life and might have it abundantly.”
Satan, the devil, is the thief who would steal, kill and destroy God’s sheep. I believe one of his many dastardly strategies is to steal moments. Minimize the moments God gives us.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, would have us to savor moments. Abundant life in Christ is about enjoying life’s moments. Life that is abundant recognizes and rejoices in the wonderful moments that make up our life.
Moments like sunrises. Sunsets. Sand between toes on the beach. Significant achievements. Hugs. Revelations from the Lord. Encouraging words. A child’s giggles. Time with friends. Hiking in a forest. A Cardinal’s melodic song. Springtime. Sitting on a mountain top. A warm, furry puppy curled up on your lap.  A baby’s birth. Naps. Favorite foods. Fireplace fires on a cold, wintry night. A warm comforter on the bed. Chocolate! Coffee for you caffeine addicts!
Why don’t you take a moment right now to list some or your cherished moments? You will be surprised how many good moments you can come up with.
Making Moments Matter

• Live in the moment you are loving in.
• Mentally disconnect from other moments, whether past, present or future.
• Be aware of moment busters. Anxiety, worry, fear, disappointment and depression mess up moments.
• Do not let people or things distract you from the moments God gives you.
• Thank God for the moments you get to enjoy. Relive moments that matter and give God glory for them!
• Share moments you have enjoyed with someone who needs encouraged in their life.

 What can cause you to miss the moment? What do you need to do to enjoy your moments?
In the past I have missed the joy of moments that God sent to bless me. Thinking backwards or forward robs us of the current moment. Moments have purpose. A fifteen-minute restful nap is a moment that refreshes and renews. I am currently making a conscious, disciplined effort to enjoy the moment. Maybe take a few more naps too!
I do not want to waste any moments anymore.
Maximize moments by enjoying them.
Enjoying the moment is about focus. Lack of focus obscures the joy of the moment. Soak up the here and now of the moment you are in. If we choose to not enjoy the moment, we might miss the blessings God intended for us that moment.
Store memorable moments in your mind’s memory banks.
When you are older, you will be glad you filed good, heart-warming happy memories in your mental hard-drive. Elderly folks may not remember what they ate for breakfast, but it is remarkable how well they recall memories of moments from the distant past.
My friend, as life moves on, do not miss the moments the Lord gives you to enjoy.
Lord, help us to keep in the moment.
A Word For Your Week: Enjoy the moments of life before they slip away.