Handle today

For weeks I've been struggling with a schedule and plans for daily tasks.  I have a check list of to-dos for each day of the week, and I've prayed over my lists asking for God's help.  How hard can it be to wake up each morning and tackle one thing at a time?  But, every night I've been disappointed and frustrated with my lack of discipline.

"The secret lies in how we handle today, not yesterday or tomorrow.  Today... that special block of time holding the key that locks out yesterday's nightmares and unlocks tomorrows dreams."  The Quest for Character , Charles Swindoll

Living each moment is a practice in preparing our hearts for God and a building of character.  It's not what you don't get done, or what you wish to get done that matters.  It isn't even about what you've accomplished but how you handled each moment in life.

Last week I read a blogging friends post that at first I found disheartening, but after much contemplation I thought it was very representative of our frustrations with living a Godly life.  Although I respect her insights and appreciate her honesty, there is one point that needs to be made.  The Word of God is not a list of to-dos, or a checklist of requirements to be marked off as completed.  It is a guide for daily living.

We need the stability of His guidance foremost in our lives because God has given each one of us free will.  It is free will, or human nature as some call it, that keeps most of us from living each moment of today in freedom.  There is a constant battle to do the right thing, but it's not always clear what's right and what's wrong.  God knew we would make mistakes, but He didn't leave us without hope.

"What is today?  A day the Lord has made.  A twenty-four hour segment of time never lived before and never to be repeated.  You may never live to see another day like this one.  You may never be closer to a decision you need to make, a step you need to take, a sin you need to forsake, a choice you need to determine.  So - do so today."  The Quest for Character , Charles Swindoll

We learn from yesterday, look forward to tomorrow, but God only desires that we live today, this moment... then the next... it takes practice.

If you would like to participate grab a button and share how God is leading you to be A Woman of Noble Character.  This link is open all week, and to all denominations of the Christian faith.