Here’s the other little tidbit of thought redirection that has been taking place internally of late.  Of course we observe that so much regret involves the past and so much worry involves the future.  Neither of which we are really invited to control much.  Jesus says don’t worry about tomorrow and Paul says put yesterday behind you and look forward.  Another spectrum for me that my thoughts wander to other than time is location.  I’m thinking about what’s happening here or there, or with this person, or with that person and this can all be well and dandy but it can also be nothing to do with Life in my heart.

So the phrase that I’ve been prompted to through song and just grace is “Here and Now.”  Are your thoughts engaged with here, meaning his presence with me and the people around me and the opportunities around me HERE??  And are my thoughts engaged with NOW, such as not things that already happened or things that could happen in the future that I don’t need to worry about, but are my thoughts on today NOW??

If my thoughts aren’t in one of those two place either here or now, they better be accompanied by feelings of excitement and joy otherwise my mind doesn’t have any business bringing my heart there again.

Jesus and his presence and his goodness are with me HERE and with me NOW and will be with me wherever and whenever I get to those future times and places, even if they involve hard conversations dealing with things that have happened in the past.  He has my heart and those moments in his hands and is leading and living with me in kindness, strength and joy.  He really does want to experience the life and joy within the moments surrounding me and I accept his invitation to let go of control or fear or regret in exchange for trust and thanksgiving setting me up to engage with him HERE and NOW.