I AM

We use up the present on the past and future, don’t we?

We waste a perfectly pristine spring Sunday morning dreaming and fantasizing, regretting, and wishing.

The birds are singing, the dawn is breaking, and a hot cup of fresh coffee is steaming. Spring is becoming summer. We’re starting our day in a home with people who are constant in our lives. We’re watching our children grow into interesting people.

How much of it do we notice? How much of it do we savor?

Are we consuming our present–missing most of it–in daydreaming the perfect future or worshipping perfect memories of an imperfect past?

Do we treat the present as some middle child who can’t live up to her older brother (the Past, whom we affectionately call Back When) or her younger sister (the Future, whom we affectionately call Someday When)?

Are we angry at God for being I AM? What kind of disappointing God hangs out in such a disappointing present, right?

The birds are singing and dawn is breaking this very moment. Children are playing downstairs. Summer is stirring. Breathing and heartbeat and imagination are happening.

God is I AM. Isn’t it better to have a God who is present than one who is never coming back or may never show up?