Last night we walked around the neighborhood delivering “Fourth Of July” coffee cake.  We went to four neighbors that we have gotten to know the best in the past three weeks.

We should have known that a quick drop off was not a possibility in this neck of the woods.  We weren’t just greeted with thank-you’s, we were invited into sweet conversations about the day, about life.

Our last stop was at Don and Mindy’s house.  They were on the porch (they have a great wrap around porch on the corner that allows them to see it all and talk to anyone passing by) and invited us to join them.  Three hours later we left after a glass of wine, non-stop laughter and meeting more neighbors who walked by on their way downtown to the festival going on there.  Amazing.

Don and Mindy’s kids (8 and 12) were there playing with one of the other neighbor’s kids (10).  Throwing water balloons, jumping on the trampoline, playing with sparklers.  Barefoot and carefree and enjoying the summer night to its full extent.

As I watched them, I was reminded why kids are so happy.  It’s because, for the most part, they are worry free.  They don’t let tomorrow rob today.  They are in the moment.  They wring the life out of each new day.  They face tomorrow when tomorrow comes.

I need to look to their example for inspiration and as a reminder.   They trust.  They hope.  They believe.  They look forward to things with more anticipation and less fear.  They don’t wait for the other shoe to drop.

Anxiety will always be my nemesis.  And although I’m getting better, there are still days when I can’t seem to let myself enjoy the blessings of that particular 24 hours because either I don’t feel I deserve it or because I know that “all good things come to an end.”  I let the worries of tomorrow rob the joys of today.  And that’s just not right.

Instead of thinking that “all good things come to an end” I need to remember another phrase that talks about “all good things”.  James 1:17 –  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  Now that’s better.

Not only can I be thankful for every good and perfect gift that God has given for my enjoyment and benefit, but I can be thankful for a Father “who does not change like shifting shadows”.  He can give, He can take away, but He never changes.  He is always loving, always present, always trustworthy.  None of my days will look like the one before.  Each day “has enough trouble of it’s own” (Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.) but each day also has blessings of its own  (Lamentations 3:22-23 – Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.) If God and all He is never changes, then no matter what tomorrow brings, there is no need to worry.

So, let’s throw water balloons.  Let’s jump on a trampoline or play with a sparkler.  Every day, like the Fourth of July, is a day to celebrate and be a little more childlike in our faith… 🙂

May it be said of me, “she can laugh at the days to come…” (Proverbs 31:25)