The now

Well, it's official. I have been having these sightings of not really enjoying the moment and always looking ahead to the next thing. Last week, I was at the Disney park and rather than just enjoying that with the boys, I was looking forward to Ft. Myers. Each day in Ft. Myers, I was constantly looking at the next day's agenda. It took until last Tuesday's fiasco, I'll explain later, for me to reflect on what I'm doing. Our condo that we rented was owned by Christians and they had all kinds of books. Of course, I read all five of mine and needed more. I was on vacation. In one of the books, the main character kept looking ahead and looking ahead until it was the end of his life and then all he could do was look back. While I know that I will always be able to look ahead to a glorious homecoming, the devotionals that were left in the condo kept repeating a message of enjoy and reflect on the present. Today, at Bible study, we were studying and going through Hebrews 11 and the same message of reflecting on the present hit me again. I don't often reflect upon the wonderful, and sometimes not so wonderful times of the now! So, while I have started a new workout system, I've also decided to workout of my old habits of looking ahead. I am going to focus on the now and celebrate all that God has given, is giving, and will give. This is going to be a toughie for me, let me tell you.

Okay, the Tuesday fiasco. We woke up to clouds and cool temps in Ft. Myers. We lazed around the condo and finally decided that it wasn't going to get any better outside. So, I got the gps system and the Florida map and we decided to explore somewhere. Somehow, I forgot the Florida map but not the gps. Kraig called and told us that the Keys were only an hour and a half away. Why would I believe a man in Michigan for my travel plans for the day???? An hour and a half...no problem. The Keys have got to be warm, right? Well, anyways, Geography has never been a strong point, unless there's a 7-11 on the corner. After an hour, we were stuck in a major traffic jam. People were getting out of their cars, kids were playing in the media, and we sat in the car like good Michiganders. Forty minutes later, we finally pulled out of the traffic jam. At this point, we've been in the car for close to two hours and we're not seeing any signs for the Keys. Wouldn't you have gotten out the map? Yeah, I would have too, except that it was no where to be found (back in the condo sitting leisurely on the sofa). So, no map but a gps that loves to tell me that it's recalculating!!! ARGH! We finally get to Miami about 3 - 3 1/2 hours later and there's still no sign for the keys. I asked a lady at the toll booth and believe it or not, I do not speak fluent Spanish. Shocking, isn't it? We finally decided at a rest stop that we would go to Biscayne National Park on the ocean because they have glass bottom boat tours over the coral reef. Sounds great, doesn't it? Not so fast. I guess I didn't follow the gps directions well and we were lost in the ghetto for about 40 minutes before we found our way back onto the highway and to the exit for Biscayne Bay. We finally pull in and walk excitedly up to the counter and ask when the next boat ride would be...Oh, not one!!!!!!! The water was too rough for the boat and they usually can't take it out on any given day. So, we walked around the sidewalk area by the ocean and looked around. Hmmm...looks like anuclear power plant on one side and a nasty plant spewing out disgusting filth on the other side. The place was a dump!!!! Oh well, we got back in the car and the Bickerman's came out in full force. Lord help me! We drove down Alligator Alley on the way home and stopped at Tiger Tail beach and took a few pictures.
I ask myself now why I didn't just enjoy Miami. I had never been there and I'm sure there was something cool to see there. Why was I in such a rush to get to the next spot? When will I ever learn? I'll post pictures and Trevor's dancing skills later. I would tell you to be excited but join me on my journey of living in the now!!! You might like it.