the third gift...

The third gift of waiting is living in the present. 

Living in the present calls us to "be here now." 

Living in the present invites us to relinquish worry. 

Living in the present allow us to say, "It is enough." 

Living in the present teaches us to be faithful in small things. 

"Waiting teaches us to dwell fully where we are. When we can't control our circumstances and we can't predict the future, we have the opportunity to live in the present." (pg 41)

"Waiting presents us with a unique opportunity to shift gears from useless worry about the future to engagement in the present.  What is good right now? What can I be at peace with today? Living in the present invites us to make the spiritual leap of trusting in God, believing that God is always near." (pg 44)

"Three summers ago, when my mom was living with us before and after her colon cancer surgery, the days were demanding. I was waiting for my mom to heal and to feel confident enough to return to her own home.  I was doing my job, anxiously worrying whether her cancer was metastasizing, taking care of the kids, fixing meals, doing laundry, and sometimes commuting to the hospital twice a day.  I was conscious over and over of all that constantly remained undone.  I finally realized I needed to stop. I needed to stop trying to take care of everything, to stop worrying.  I needed to reclaim an area of peace within myself.  I needed to recognize what was 'sufficient unto the day.'  I needed to declare, 'It is enough. This is all that is possible.'  Over and over in the midst of the clamor, I had to admit that my own powerlessness, to relinquish worry, and to trust God. When I did that, I could breathe more easily, offer up my worry, and allow God to help.  Loosening my grip and living more lightly allowed me to take a walk each morning, to relax a little in the evening, and even to experience a good night's sleep.  'It is enough.' A small simple treasure. Consider it the next time waiting makes you crabby or anxious or stressed out. Maybe waiting is offering you a chance to receive this empowering gift." (pg. 44-45)

"Living in the present is an invitation to sit down, take a deep breath and ask, "What is in front of my face this very minute that summons me to faithfulness?" (pg 45)