"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey, that matters in the end"

Sometimes we get so caught up in getting somewhere that we forget to enjoy the trip along the way.

You know last night, all the kids were in bed and I was reading a book, and Cale was looking at a magazine, and I thought how great it was just to be there! Because as I told him, someday one of us will be gone, and we will not be able to have the small moments together. It really helps me to live in the moment, and to squeeze every little bit of appreciation out of every moment of life.

Think about it, our time together is so short, let's not waste a single second of it with negative thoughts, arguing, impatience, unkindness. When our time on Earth is through, I pray I can say I did the best I could to appreciate all the many blessings I have recieved.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 11, 2002

Answers

I really like that thought,Melissa. When our kids were young and home yet we found a quote which helped us focus--"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Now that our two kids are married and it's just my husband and me we still read that quote now and again. Just because the child raising, homeschooling etc. is past doesn't mean life is over. We thank God each morning for each day we have to live and serve Him. Nancy

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), February 11, 2002.

Hi, Melissa, Ivabeen a lota busy latelya.

I appreciated the quote, and I've seen a lot of them similar in thought to this one. Behind most of them is a philosophical issue rather inimical to Christian thought. Without wanting to detract at all from your good emphasis to appreciate the moment, the point of most sentiments of these quotes is that it really doesn't matter what your final goal is, the important thing is to enjoy drifting along. Most of us don't live like that daily -- and shouldn't -- and neither should we in terms of life.

Hope I didn't sound too negative there.

Vicki is calling me to a game of rummy. I really beat up on her last night and she's wanting revenge.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), February 12, 2002.

I do not think that at all. The end is important, but if all you concentrate on is what happens in the end, you can miss out on lots of fun along the way.

Like we have some friends who came within 1 hour of the Grand Canyon, but were so intent on making the trip in a certain amount of time, they didn't stop! Now it is one of the things they regret. They were so close, but with their eye on the end result, they forgot to enjoy the trip!

Sometimes in our lives we get so caught up in the chores and the shopping and the schoolwork, we forget that we can stop, take a breath, and watch the clouds drift by for an hour or so. Life doesn't have to be constant hustle and bustle, with a mad rush to the end. I have watched on TV, some of those big super highways with 6 layers of bridges, and cars rushing madly and thought they should slow down and enjoy the trip!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 12, 2002.

Amen Melissa!!!!!!!! It sometimes takes people until they become toooo old to realize what they have missed!!!!

I want to enjoy the route -also!!! I want to savor the times I hold those grandbabies---as they grow up too quickly!!! I want to savor my time with my hubby & friends--

-I just lost a friend this last week---she had been ill for some time & died-- about 10 years ago she got upset over something----as I defended what I thought was right---she was not a Christain then & didn't see my point of view---didn't understand it was against my beliefs!! She quit speaking to me----I sent her a birthday card & Christmas card every year & always saying /how much I cared for her---but she would never respond to anything I sent to her----I contacted her hubby this week & he said I had/ had such an infulience on her---she had accepted Jesus before she died--I praise God /she did so----& I praise God I never quit trying----I do so wish/ we could have talked & hugged ----before she died!! Maybe if I had tried harder!!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), February 12, 2002.

That is very sad Sonda...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 12, 2002.

I know what you mean. When I stop to smell the coffee so to speak. I realize just how blessed I am to have my family and my life and to be where I am now. God is so good. Sometimes when I am feeling down I need to count my many blessings and when I hear about other peoples problems I realize mine aren't so bad. "This is the day that the lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it". I want to thank you again for this wonderful forum. Everyone have a great week. And God bless.

-- sweet_mae (sweet_mae86@hotmail.com), February 12, 2002.

It seems that, for a Christian, one's daily activities so often do not further one's ultimate goals. That's where the frustration comes in. Instead of emphasizing people, things and projects and career balloon to crowd out those more important issues.

I'm reading Stephen Covey's First Things First these days. That's one of his points. Though he doesn't take an overtly religious point of view -- not his book's purpose --, he does nudge the reader back to making sure that the "To-Do list" and the scheduling we do reflect our most precious values and the true principles in life. I differ with him on where those true principles come from, but the work has much to commend it.

How did I get started on a book recommendation? Oh, well, it's worth it.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), February 13, 2002.

Totally agree Melissa. Reminds me of a quote I really like....

In the hope of reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that bloom at their feet..... Albert Schweitzer

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), February 13, 2002.