I've just arrived home from a family camping trip, and while away, I noticed a mum with her two little boys. She was doing a great job managing her energetic sons, and their antics around the campsite caused me to chuckle more than once over the weekend.
I am a pretty relaxed and organised person, but after having six kids of our own (who are all teenagers or adults now) and watching all the children happily playing on their bikes and running through the muddy puddles the last few days, I've come to the conclusion how important it is not to sweat the small stuff and to relax and enjoy the moments more, regardless of whether it is perfect or not. Because on looking back, you will probably realise just how perfect those moments actually were…chaos and all.
A lot of life is about finding a balance of joy and peace, turning your problems into opportunities, staying calm in challenging circumstances, and embracing and fully living the moment you are in so you can appreciate what you have.
It's easy to get so focused on making a living, managing busy schedules, and keeping everything and everyone organised in our world that we can easily neglect to find joy in the journey.
Jesus talked about this and keeping things in perspective and encouraged us to trust him with the big and small things in our lives. He said to not worry about tomorrow and that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]" (Matthew 6:34; John 10:10)
The fact is, "every day, we have plenty of opportunities to get angry, stressed or offended. But what you're doing when you indulge these negative emotions is giving something outside of yourself power over your happiness. You can choose not to let little things upset you." (Joel Osteen)
So today, I encourage you not to sweat the small stuff. You won't even remember most of what you are rushing about or stressing over in a year, let alone twenty years times anyway.
Relax, trust, and allow Jesus to lead and guide you. As you do, you'll begin to see all your life has to offer, let go of problems, see solutions and opportunities and realise everything will be alright. As a result, your life will begin to flow.
As the serenity prayer suggests, "Change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot and have the wisdom to know the difference."
Prayer; Lord, thank you for today and all its great moments. Would you please give me the wisdom and help to relax and enjoy the journey so that I can have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance – to the full, till it overflows. In Jesus' name Amen.