Last.Damn.Call

Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. This Bible verse encourages focusing on the present day and trusting that God will provide for the future, as worrying about tomorrow’s problems doesn’t solve them and only adds to the day’s difficulties. 

I always liked this verse, and I wasn’t sure why. It hit me this morning. One Day at a Time. We say it all the time in AA, and I assume if you have lived on this planet for long, you’ve heard that before, too.

I have learned through recovery that I cannot think about or control what might pop up tomorrow, next week or anywhere down the road. Of course, it is always good to be prepared (I am a real believer in having extra water bottles in my car in the summer, extra coats in the winter, batteries ready to go in flashlights in case of a tornado, things like that.) But I simply cannot control what any given day will bring.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. When I first read this verse so many years ago, my first thought was something along the lines of “Well, hell. Great, every day will have plenty of crap to worry about. Thanks, big guy.” And that just shows how much my attitude has changed in the past year. When I read it now, it makes so much more sense. Of course, every day brings its own challenges. It also brings its own rewards.

My thought process was so stuck on the “worry and troubles” that I couldn’t see past it. In simply mentioning “tomorrow” it is encouraging us to continue moving and look forward to what a new day offers. It also promises us that He will still be with us when that new day arrives.

Worrying about what the future holds does just that…its HOLDS us in a place of anxiety and fear. That worry says that we do not have the faith in God to lead us safely into a new day as our personal tour guide. It also distracts us from the present.

I am 1000% guilty of this. I can worry about something that could potentially, maybe, kinda sorta, possibly happen so much–that I absolutely forget to enjoy whatever good things are currently happening in my life. And that steals the joy of what goodness I should be appreciating in that moment. Here’s a perfect example. Family vacations. No matter how big or how small, I overwhelm myself with details. You know what…if I forget someone’s toothbrush or don’t pack enough undies, guess what? We are not going on some wilderness retreat with no stores along the way. It will be ok.

Another thing I am guilty of (to a fault) is dreading things ending before they even begin. Let me explain. If we are leaving town for 4 days, before we even GET in the car, I am counting down the days until we have to return to work, home, life, etc. By day 2, hell the vacation might as well be over because in my brain “We only have 2 more nights to stay in this hotel, and then we gotta load up and head back.” I am so focused on things ending that I forget to live in the moment.

Speaking of “living in the moment”…I always thought this meant wild and crazy things like running to Vegas and getting married or throwing all your worldly possessions away and moving into the woods. But it doesn’t. That’s just Lindsey being dramatic and overthinking crap as usual. Living in the moment means just that. Living in this time and place and whatever is happening in your life. It is walking the dog. Watching your kids play. It is folding laundry (ugh, gross). It is cooking in your kitchen with music in the background. It is simple phone conversations with people you care about. I don’t know why Lindsey brain thinks everything needs to be grandiose and wild, but it just does sometimes. But then again, I think we all need reminders to keep it simple.

“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. Now when I read this, I try to keep in mind that it is a good thing. No one is promised tomorrow, but we all have today (another nugget of wisdom from AA). And if tomorrow is in God’s plans for you, He will walk you through that day as well. It’s always just: One Day at a Time.