The other day I was leaving the apartment. We live on the second floor, so I have to exit our apartment, go down the curving flight of stairs, then out the main door. As I reached the ground level, went out the door, then turned right towards the garage and car, I almost walked face-first into a spider web with a very juicy large spider in the middle! Gah! It’s a good thing I wasn’t too distracted to keep my eyes open and looking ahead, or I would have had that spider and web right in my face! I’m sorry I didn’t whip out my phone to capture a picture – but here’s a snapshot a few days later – the web was right at face level. Thank goodness I saw it and stopped. The spider has not shown up there again – either someone else got webbed in the face, or the spider smartly found a new territory!

Today, I was taking an early walk at my favorite spot, Mt. Pisgah, when I almost got tree whipped by a branch. This happened the other day – same branch! – and both times I avoided a smack in the face. I wonder how long it will be before someone moves that branch? Here’s a pic:

Three times in recent days, I’ve found myself almost starting the day with a smack in the face!

It made me think! 😀

Today is here and gone. Today is a gift! Today is really the only day we have to be the best we can be. Do we embrace today? Or do we worry about tomorrow? I have started to wake each day with a prayer of thanks that I DID wake up! Tomorrow is not a guarantee. Today my back hurts. Or some days, I wake with a sinus headache. I wouldn’t be alive if I didn’t FEEL – so thanks God for another day, even if I hurt a little. That’s life.

If you’re like me, I have lots of questions about the future. We’ve been in our temporary apartment for more than a temporary time now. Where are we going to move? When? And how long will Ted and I enjoy our good health? Our golden years are shining you know. We have family potentially moving out of state – how and when will we get to see them? How long should Ted and I continue working?

Jesus tells us in Mathew 6:34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. He also says in Mark 6:11: Give us today our daily bread. Jesus was only focused on what He could do about today.

I’ve decided that it’s okay to wonder, and question, and ponder the future … to think about tomorrow. But then I give it to God in prayer. I hand it over and ask for direction. And then I try to get back to focusing on today. If I find myself all consumed with worry about tomorrow then I miss out on the joys of today. Let me say that to you again:

If you focus on tomorrow, you will miss out on the joys of today.

One of my son-in-laws does not like spiders AT ALL. He loathes them – and his daughters know it and his niece and nephew, Henry and Lena, know it. A few months back, Henry and Lena watched a drawing video to help them draw a spider. They did awesome for a 6 and 4 year old! Then, they decided to put their uncle’s face behind the spider! The result was awesome – and was then gifted to their uncle.

I hope y’all keep your eyes wide open – to look at today and what’s right in front of your face so you won’t be smacked by a branch or a spider! Hmmmm … or maybe I should hope that you DO get smacked in the face with a reminder to keep your eyes on today and to SEE what is in front of you? Either way – focus on today. Today is a gift. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

Psalm 118:24: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

just Laurel