There is something exciting about looking forward to a specific date to celebrate. Growing up, my favorite days were my Mom’s birthday in January, my birthday in February, my Dad’s birthday in March, Easter in April, etc. culminating in my favorite time of the year in December- CHRISTMAS! There was always something to reach for and I would count down excitedly in my journal. In school I was always looking forward to graduation. The peak of my excitement was the move to college. I imagined college life as the ideal life in the perfect setting. I couldn’t wait to live in my dorm room with 100% autonomy, that was the height of independence in my imagination. Then of course, once I got to college, I couldn’t wait to graduate and get a job and earn real money. Then I couldn’t wait to go back to graduate school. On and on I kept yearning for the next thing…
The progression of life is intriguing and it keeps life exciting. The peaks, mountains and achievements make life beautiful. However there are many days in-between when nothing exciting happens. Daily living could become monotonous that it becomes tempting to fix our eyes on the destination and miss the beauty of the process.
The journey is what makes the destination worth it. There is a purpose for each day in the grand scheme of life. Many hours of our lives will be spent in routine tasks and if we are not careful, it is easy to rush through “everyday life” and yearn for the mountain top experiences, the breakthroughs, and the victories. However, the beauty of the journey is not really in the destination but in the steps along the way. There are valuable lessons sprinkled on the highway of life that make us stronger. The lessons and nuggets we acquire along the way make us better people. The experiences develop the character necessary to sustain victory at the destination.
When I start getting bored with the sameness of the puzzle pieces of everyday life, I remind myself of the words of Psalm 90:12 “Lord teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” When it gets difficult to put one leg in front of the other, I remind myself that the mercies of God are new every morning and that I can just stand and allow God to carry me. The truth is that we do not have to make things happen in our lives. God has a master plan that will unfold as we follow His leading. The bible says that the steps of man are established by the LORD.
Make a conscious decision to enjoy each day. No matter what your current circumstances look like, choose to find the gem buried in the experience and do your best to enjoy the day. Don’t wait to reach your goal before you live fully. Enjoy the journey to your desired destination. These are the good old days. Treasure each day and live in the moment. Embrace the gift of today. Slow down and savor the building blocks of destiny. Take the time to build meaningful relationships. Be present and maximize each day on your way to your beautiful tomorrow.
“For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD.
‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.“
Jeremiah 29:11
You are so on point with this. We sometimes get caught up with the happenings around us that we forget to enjoy the moment. Taking the time out to just breathe… appreciate life, and what God has in store for us is paramount. God bless
Thank you for your comment.
You are a living example of how to appreciate life and enjoy the journey with your world travels! I agree that we need to take time out to just breathe. I have started placing visual reminders around the house to celebrate and enjoy each day as a gift from God. The journey is indeed what makes the destination worth it.
Our Father is in control, there is no need to stress.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or have no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these mothers may forget; But as for me, I’ll never forget you!” Isaiah 49:15