Thought for the Day – Thursday 27^th August

‘This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Psalm 118: 24)

 

During Lockdown I decided to try and do some clearing out – as I know most of you did for we spoke of it during our phone calls – you know how we all had these lovely clean and tidy houses for no one to be able to come in and see them!

 

Anyway, as always, it was the photographs which took the longest to sort out – some were ones we had taken ourselves, some we had inherited from my own parents and grandparents and some from Grahams’ parents and grandparents. No matter their source or indeed if we actually knew anyone in some of the pictures, it was truly fascinating to go through them all for each held a wonderful recollection of past times and it was just good to sit and dwell on them all for a time. (I don’t know about you though, but I found it is so hard to actually get rid of some of the photographs where I knew no at all because you actually felt as if you were tearing the people apart – or at least that moment in time!)

 

I think it is good sometimes for us to look back, just as it is good for us to look forward but if that is all we concentrate on then that can be fraught with danger. If we are not careful about our musings, then we could become so preoccupied with the past, or indeed the future, that we then forget all about the blessings we have here in this present time.

 

I know, it is so easy for us to look back on what we perceive as ‘the good old days’ and wish we had more of them while we still had the chance. However, while this is good sometimes, what we actually need to be doing is learning to enjoy each moment in the present – for every moment is precious and God-given. We need to recognise each moment for what it is and all that it has to offer and gives thanks to God for that moment.

 

It is wonderful to give thanks for the past and it is delightful when we do just that and take time to reflect on all that has been; it is helpful and sometimes reassuring to anticipate the future too but what we must never forget is that ‘This is the day that the Lord has made’ and it will be a day full of precious God-given moments and we must not let this day pass us by - rather we should do as the Psalmist says and rejoice in it!

 

Prayer

 

Loving Lord,

This is the day you have made and we thank you life-giving Lord for this day. We thank you that you constantly surprise and astound us each new day and yet still challenge us to savour each new day you give. We thank you too that you take all our endings and make new beginnings of them. Lord, we are indeed blessed, for you are a God of past, present and future and we so we cannot fail to rejoice at having you in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.