Here I Am!

I was thumbing through a little book of quotations the other day and found this: “Wherever you go, there you are.” My first reaction was: Ok, so…? I’ve said things as profound as that and to the best of my knowledge, I’m not in print in any quotations collection. I think I must have filed the quote away in the back of my mind as I moved on to more important things, like eating breakfast and stepping on the bathroom scales. The first is decidedly more pleasant than the second. But somewhere in the developing day, a little light came on in my mind: Oh, that’s what he means. “Wherever you go, there you are.” Sure, I get it. The moment! Be in the moment. Be conscious of this special moment. And that’s important, isn’t it.

More than once I’ve been sitting at my desk in Tucson, but my mind is in Dallas or New York. Some people live their lives that way; they are always somewhere else, reliving the past or projecting into the future. But there is so much beauty around me right now, so many needs to address, so many ways to make life better. If I wander in my mind to Dallas or New York, I’m missing opportunities that Christ is giving me right here, right now. Today is a gift. This moment is a gift. Don’t waste it. So, today practice being where you are. And in your recognition of your gift of the moment, make it count. Do something nice for someone; surprise them. Say something that acknowledges your response to this remarkable gift. Be where you are. Make a difference. And be grateful that you can.