My yard was so quiet today. No man-made intrusion to the earth’s orchestra and her symphonies. I sat in the swing till mid-afternoon. It was hot but the breeze and the box fan made swing perching and pondering very pleasant. I saw another beautiful butterfly today, a male Sleepy Orange. So handsome with bright orange wings bordered in black. Was a small fellow, a fast flitter and flyer, zipping around the petunia blossoms. I just enjoyed watching him dance on the yellow flowers, didn’t disturb him by taking photos.

Been reading in my miniature quote book today. Stopped reading where Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s quote reads, “Light tomorrow with today.” That’s a thought to help us remember each moment of a day shapes our tomorrow. We focus on being positive today, we light the way for a brighter tomorrow. Our future is constructed with today’s building blocks. Mother Theresa said, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” I think that’s pretty good advice.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what you do today.” I think the choices we make today do influence what happens tomorrow. Then again, we’re not promised tomorrow, we just lay our heads down at night and think about tomorrow’s plans assured that we’ll wake for another day. Sometimes I think our future is predetermined by God but our choices and actions turn us down another path. We constantly worry so about the past and about what the future holds, we can’t appreciate the beauty of our present day. We all worry about the future. I’ll admit it, I do worry about the future. I have no trouble putting the past behind me but sometimes the future does keep me awake. My prayers have taught me if I can’t control it or change it, I turn it over to God and let him carry those worries. 1 Peter 5:6-7 states, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Biblical scripture tells us to trust God with the future and just live for today. Matthew 6:34 states, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Proverbs 27:1 advises, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Worry about tomorrow distracts from the blessings of today. James 4:14 states, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Life is so very short and we never know what tomorrow will bring. Thank the Lord each day for breath when you wake. Life is glorious when we walk through each day holding hands with God. Take his hand. It’s always outstretched.

“The strong hands of God twisted the crown of thorns into a crown of glory; and in such hands we are safe.” — Charles Williams