Reflecting on the past is good sometimes, if we are reflecting upon God’s faithfulness. Considering the future is good sometimes, if we are trusting God for His continual faithfulness. However, God encourages us to live in the PRESENT, neither the past nor the future, for the present is where God is – where our peace is. Only the God of Peace is able to sustain us within each of our individual stories. Personally, as I have aged throughout these years, I have learned to live and enjoy this present moment because the world can suffocate with its fear, anxiety and worry about the future to come.
As a former pastor’s wife of over 40 years, I am a single mom of five adult children and grandma of nine grandchildren. Through a series of events, my husband chose to walk away from God. One year ago, our divorce was final. One month later my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. One month later she was gone. One month later my basement flooded which took all summer to remediate. Following that, I did some remodeling. Then I fell on the ice and injured my rotator cuff, which was followed by one week later my basement flooding yet again. All of this was happening amidst a broken close family relationship and the continuing grief of losing my dear mom. I cried out to God and He heard me!!
Within the story that God is writing of my life, I am beyond blessed. I have experienced healing in my heart and freedom to be who God made me to be. Within my story I have learned where my continued PEACE comes from – keeping my mind stayed upon Him – always in the present moment. “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusts in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
By Lori Preshaw