(This post was written by Matt Grimes, Middle School Ministry Pastor)

When it comes to being a parent, it is very easy for us to quickly move into the category of living for what’s next.  Whether it’s waiting on the first few months of sleepless nights that come with a new born to pass, or getting through the terrible two’s,  or praying for a teenager to make it through school, we all can easily find ourselves wishing the experiences of today away for what lies ahead.

My wife and I are currently expecting our first child, and have found ourselves in this very place, counting down the days for the first trimester to be over with.  No doubt it is a difficult time to walk through, the exhaustion, fatigue, balancing work and time together, but in this time God has so many things for us to learn that will prepare us to be the parents that He is calling us to be.  If we simply wish it away, and count the days down, we will miss out on those valuable experiences and lessons.  As a parent, I want to encourage you to live in the moment.  Make the most of each day, because we don’t have the promise that we get tomorrow, and if we do receive tomorrow, why waste what God has for us today wishing for what’s next?

Somewhere along the way, the church has taught us that following Jesus was easy.  Our response has been to disdain the times of difficulty that we all walk through, instead of embracing them and asking God in the midst, “What do you want of me in this time?  What do you want to teach me through this experience?”  These questions are powerful questions to ask God, because these questions help shape our souls and mold us into who God created and designed us to be.

So where do you find yourself today?  Are you in that place of wishing for tomorrow?  Are you in a place of challenge, difficulty, or are you in the place of excitement, comfort, and peace?  Regardless of where you find yourself I challenge you to ask God, “What do you want of me in this time, and what do you want to teach me through this experience?”  When we live with this attitude, making the most of each day and each experience, we will find ourselves growing to look more like Christ and leading our families to do the same.