ONE DAY AT A TIME

There are two days in every week over which one should never stress or worry, two days which should be kept free from all fear and apprehension.

One of those days is yesterday…with its errors and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.  Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.  All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.  We cannot undo one single act we have performed.  We cannot erase one single word we have said.  Yesterday is gone!

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its unidentified adversities, its unknown burdens, its potential promises, or its possible performances.  Tomorrow is beyond our immediate control.  Tomorrow’s sun will rise, whether in radiant splendor or behind a mask of somber clouds.  But it will surely rise.  Until it does, we have no tangible stake in tomorrow (certainly not from the perspective of anxiety), for tomorrow is yet unborn.

That leaves only one day in which to freely invest our full focus and energy: today.

Consider this.  All of us can somehow manage to fight the battles of just one day.  It is only when we emotionally summon the cumbersome concerns of yesterday and the plausible problems of tomorrow that we enter into terrible trepidation and torment.

The experiences of today do not necessarily disturb or destroy our peace of mind.  No.  Oftentimes, it is the sheer disappointment or bitterness about something that occurred yesterday or an irrational dread about what tomorrow might bring.  Let us resolve, therefore, to live one day at a time.

There is a song that corrects and comforts when I am tempted to obsess over my past or my future:

One day at a time…sweet Jesus…

That’s all I’m asking from You;

Give me the strength to do every day

What I have to do.

Yesterday’s gone…sweet Jesus…

And tomorrow may never be mine;

So for my sake, help me to take

One day at a time.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!