If right-now has gifts to give, wishing it were yesterday or tomorrow (or otherwise different) will make them very hard to spot.
“I accept the gift of now as it is.” Ann Voscamp
“I will give You thanks. . . .” Psalm 35:18
asking for help
When your faults appear front-and-center, it’s tempting to try really hard to change, but accepting where you are and asking for help (one day at a time) is a lot more fruitful.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. . . .” Serenity prayer
“Create a clean heart in me, O God.” Psalm 51:10
giving thanks
If giving thanks feeds trust (which feeds things like contentment and joy), why not?
“We . . . give thanks and the thanks itself . . . nourishes. Thanks feeds our trust.” Ann Voskamp
“[G]ive thanks. . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
begin again
When you’ve been slipping and sliding and drifting in the wrong direction, you can either keep slipping and sliding and drifting or you can begin again every day (or moment).
“‘Can a man lay a new foundation every day?’ The old man said, ‘If he works hard, he can lay a new foundation at every moment.’” Abba Silvanus
“[F]or His compassions . . . are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
paying attention
Paying attention to what’s wrong with other people comes naturally. Paying attention to what’s wrong with me takes practice (and prayer).
“God bless _____ and change me.” A prayer
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3
a deeper thirst
It’s easier to be patient with your thirsts (for things like accolades and attention and cocktails) when you see them as part of a deeper thirst.
“My soul thirsts for God. . . .” Psalm 42:2
“Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.” Abba Poemen