Big things are happening in our home and family. Some are joyous events,
like the coming birth of our grandchild in June. Some are pleasant, like
planning to bring the RV out of storage for another season of camping
trips. Some are more trying, like working through Carla's rotator cuff
surgery and therapy. And there are even some events that I can do nothing
other than dread. Which includes worry.
One recent worry involved accompanying a couple students at solo/ensemble
contest last week. I truly enjoy helping the students this way. One piece
was particularly challenging and I worried whether I could play it
adequately to support the student's performance. As with many musical
pieces, there were a couple spots that were most difficult…much of the
piece was more manageable. While practicing, I received a comforting
thought…"play the note that's here right now; you can't play the difficult
note until you come to it. Don't be so preoccupied with the difficult
thing to come that the whole piece suffers." That approach, that mental
attitude, helped me to put the whole piece together successfully. My
playing on contest day was certainly not perfect, but the difficult parts
came out alright.
Isn't life lived moment by moment? The only time we really have is the
second that is just happening. Humans are the only one of God's creatures
that has a sense of past, present, and future. It is both blessing and
curse to be able to plan ahead. I suppose worry is only possible because
we can imagine the future. Worry about what might happen robs us of living
the present moment to its fullest.
It is the first day of Lent. We often encourage a specific Lenten
discipline, either fasting by giving something up for the season, or
adding a new faith practice to our daily routine. If you are still looking
for a Lenten commitment, consider joining with me in worrying less and
trusting more. Don't ignore the big picture of life, but remember to live
the moment you are in right now. God promises to care for us even as he
cares for all creation. Trust him. Live and love every moment as fully as
God gives it…tomorrow will arrive at its proper time.
Ron Vanatta
Coming at Salem: Ash Wednesday worship today at 7 PM
Midweek Lenten worship every Wednesday beginning next week with Prayer &
Pie at 2 PM and Holden Evening Prayer at 7 PM…all services begin in the
sanctuary. The theme this year is The Apostle's Creed.
Soup Suppers each Wednesday March 16 through April 13 in Fellowship Hall
5:30 to 7 PM
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