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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
Just For Today 3/8/08

I'm a recovering alcoholic and drug addict and have learned to live "just for today." I am not promised tomorrow. Today is a gift from God.

I learned somewhere, some time ago, how to figure out how many days a person has left to live if they live to be the age of 70 years old. I am 54 years old now, with a birthday coming up in April, and as of today, if I live to my seventieth birthday, I have 8,535 days left. I keep track of that in my Day-Timer for some reason, just in case God plans to use me that long.

As for today, all I have is God's, to do with as He pleases. I get up at 5 A.M. each morning to greet and meet with my God. I thank Him for this glorious new morning and this glorious new day, expecting them to be so, knowing that in my faith it is done. God and I spend the dark hours together in my journal, in worship and praise and thanksgiving. I wait in anticipation each morning for the first bird outside my window to start singing so I can thank Him for that and the wide smile it brings to my face and my soul.

I spent the first 33 years of my life wanting to die. When I got into recovery from alcohol and drug addiction I made a decision to want to live. Ten years later I made a decision to give my life to Christ. My Heavenly Father has spent the time since molding me to be more like His Son. I know I am a work in process, a long process that will not be complete on this earth as I know it.

God has been loving and kind, generously gracious to me and I live in continuous gratitude and thanksgiving for His grace and mercy. That's why I give each day to Him.

After day breaks and God and I have spent our time together and He has given me at least one poem from Himself to share with the world, I make a few "plans" in my Day-Timer, but nothing is written in stone. I have asked my Father to direct my paths for the day and He is my only Guide.

Most days, there are what most people would call "interruptions" or "problems" that
crop up, but I call them opportunities to be Jesus' hands and feet. I listen for that still, small voice and when He says, "Go," that is my command, my delight, my joy!


He has given me so much, that He can never ask too much of me. He fills me up each morning with His strength and power so that I can be spent for Him. It is an honor and privilege I don't deserve, but know I am blessed to be given.

I look upon each day as a brand new adventure in God's supremely beautiful Creation. Every day of my life is a good gift from God that I know He has planned from the beginning of time, which makes it all the more precious to me, to be used for His honor and glory!

Always, in all ways, to God the honor and glory!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
03/14/08
I found this moving and inspiring.
Mandy White
03/15/08
Wonderful and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing.
Lyn Churchyard
03/16/08
Brilliant! I just loved it. Very well done indeed. Add a few verses of scripture and it would make a great devotional. Thank you.
Yvonne Blake 
03/16/08
Wonderful thoughts. I also learned this lesson after a serious illness. I like that you have "numbered your days", but we can't be sure of that. We need to live as if this is our last day.
A specific example or more description would add to this.
Thank you for writing this.