Living Our Days in the Present—in the Presence of God

Living Our Days in the Present—in the Presence of God

Posted on by Michele Morin

After almost thirty-six years of marriage, my good husband and I agree on most things and are pretty compatible. That’s been a gift to both of us. The one area that still stimulates “discussions” between us is our orientation to time.

He is firmly planted in the present moment.
I am already living in the future.

As a result, he enjoys our baby grandsons, keeps the firewood rack filled and the woodstove burning, pays our bills, and explains common denominators to a fifth-grader without worrying about the next thing. When he’s doing something, that’s what he’s doing. Somehow, he stays present to the moment, present to the task at hand or the person before him.

I’ll admit that thinking ahead has served me well, and I suppose there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to experience the world. However, I confess to a certain level of envy of my husband’s orientation to time.

Maybe it’s because, in this, I see the life of Jesus.

In John 4, we learn that Jesus walked all the way to unsavory Samaria so he could have a conversation with one woman. Then, he continued on his way to Galilee.

In Mark 5, Jesus followed Jairus home in the midst of a throng, on the urgent business of healing the man’s daughter. Detecting the touch of a woman’s hand on his garments, he singled her out, paid attention to her need, and healed her.

In Mark 9, Jesus listened to the sad story of a father with only 50-50 faith and then healed his son.

Jesus knew he had come with a built-in purpose: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), to bring eternal life (John 3:16). Even so, he didn’t let the big picture get in the way of the present moment. He loved “the world,” but he also loved the raggedy person standing before him.

Jesus loved “the world,” but he also loved the raggedy person standing before him.

What’s your orientation to time?
Are you stuck in the past, wishing for the good old days?
Are you racing through today because you’ve got “stuff to do” tomorrow?
Do you find it natural to take life as it comes to you, one moment at a time?

Here’s my prayer for all of us as we live our days in the present—in the presence of God:

Lord, you are the Keeper of the clock.
Truly, “our times are in your hands,” and you alone know how many tomorrows we will be given.
By grace, may we cherish the present moment, and, like your Son, embody our life’s purpose without being swallowed up by it.
Give us a heart for the person in front of us, a desire to do the humble tasks that give structure to our days, and a love for life that spills over into this hurting world.
Amen

In 2026, I want to be more present— wherever I am. When I am with the people I love, I want to be all there. I need to inhabit fully the time and space God has ordained for me to inhabit, to stay present to the emotions that come and the season I’m living through.

I’ll be writing one post every month on the theme. To find them all, CLICK HERE.

Holding You in the Light,

Jesus knew he had come with a built-in purpose: “to seek and to save that which was lost,” “to give his life as a ransom for many,” to bring eternal life. Even so, he didn’t let the big picture get in the way of the present moment.

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four married sons and a growing fleet of adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

23 thoughts on “Living Our Days in the Present—in the Presence of God”

  1. I think there are times to look at the past and remember, and look to the future and plan. But neither should be done at the expense of the present need. It can be hard to put everything else aside and concentrate on the present, especially when we view it as an interruption rather than a ministry. How good to look to our Savior and how He handled every moment as His ministry. Reminds me of Jim Elliot’s saying–wherever you are, be all there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re right, Barbara, and I think the Bible addresses both extremes. Jesus is the only one who got it right all the time. And I hadn’t thought of that Jim Elliot quote, but if I had, I would have included it, so thanks for bringing it.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. At 40 and a few months, we’re kind of a little of both depending on the thing. That is a good thing because it helps to balance it out, most times…still, there are times when one swings to one side of that in the moment or laser focused on the future. It takes effort to stay in the moment, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. And that is usually the deciding factor. Doesn’t mean anything to the plan then. ~ Rosie

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  4. My husband does a better job staying in the present while I’m creating a great schedule for the next day. lol. I realize both attributes are good, but they have to stay balanced. Sometimes having laid a good plan can help staying in the present more possible. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m pondering if I am one to be less in the present and more everywhere else! I know if I don’t plan a project, it does not get done. I love your example how Jesus always stayed on purpose–the bigger picture always part of the the present moment. I’d like to strive to stay on purpose whether I’m learning from past endeavours, absorbed in a present moment, or planning my upcoming days.

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  6. I’ve noticed that about Jesus, too. He was always attentive to the person(s) in front of him, even if they had interrupted him, like the woman in need of healing while Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ home. I too want to be mindful of the one God puts in my path–even if he/she seems like an interruption. Help me, Lord, to see “oppotunity” instead.

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    1. That’s a wonderful way of making the distinction. So much of what I view as an interruption is really an opportunity to serve someone, to glorify God—and to say NO to myself!

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  7. Someone once said to view interruptions as divine appointments. But in the press of life, it’s easy to forget that and just view the interruptions as the enemy trying to sabotage your day!

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  9. Some of it is gender related as men’s brains are single focused and our brains are geared for multi-tasking, but I hear the call to be balanced in our planning ahead while living and enjoying the present. It’s definitely a balance of the two, Michele, as we enjoy our children and grandchildren, yet must think ahead for the meal we will sit down to enjoy. It won’t miraculously appear on the dinner table, so our planning ahead helps us enjoy the mealtime together. However, we must make sure that we are not so busy running around that we don’t enjoy our family’s visit. The Mary heart balanced with Martha’s serving.

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    1. Thanks for bringing M and M into this conversation. That’s a balancing act we all have to walk, and it always comes down to motive, I think. I have to ask myself WHY I’m so overheated about the future—am I planning or am I fretting?

      Liked by 1 person

  11. My husband & I have always had differing senses of time. I have a need to be 10-15 minutes early; while my husband subscribes to the five-more-minutes theory of time management. After nearly 34 years, we have learned how to navigate our differing views.

    Stopping by from One Word 2026 – March

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