Tonight, I’m catching up on a few movies I’ve been putting off watching for quite some time.
Not because I didn’t want to watch them, but because I had been saving them to share with someone else.
Somewhere along the way, those movies became reminders of moments and memories that never happened.
And for a while, it was just too painful to watch them.
But tonight, I’m choosing to enjoy them anyway. And believe it or not, it’s a little therapeutic! ❤️
It got me thinking about how many things I’ve put on hold in my life, waiting for someone to share them with.
I’ve only been to a movie theater ONCE in almost a year, and going to the movies is one of my FAVORITE things to do!
I’ve even had FREE tickets to see movies I wanted to watch, and I STILL didn’t go! Not because I couldn’t go, but because I didn’t want to go alone.
And that really got me thinking…
How many opportunities have I allowed to pass me by simply because I was waiting for someone to share them with?
How many experiences have I missed? How many memories could I have made? How many blessings have I overlooked because they didn’t come packaged the way I had hoped?
When Your Love Language Is Quality Time
I’m a people person. My love language is quality time. I LOVE making memories WITH people!
I love the laughter, the conversations, the spontaneous adventures, and even those quiet moments when you don’t have to say anything at all. Just being together is enough.
And no, doing things alone isn’t always as much fun.
But I’ve come to realize something:
I can miss having someone beside me without missing out on the life God has placed in front of me.
Somewhere along the way, I allowed the absence of companionship in certain areas of my life to keep me from enjoying things I genuinely love doing.
And I don’t want to do that anymore.
Just because someone isn’t there to share a moment with me doesn’t mean I have to miss the moment altogether.
I'm Choosing to Live Again!
I’m going to watch the movies, take the trips, enjoy the sunsets, go on adventures, laugh, make memories, and do the things I enjoy.
Most importantly, I’m going to continue doing what God has called me to do!
And if I have to do some of those things alone, then so be it!
Does that mean I won’t wish I had someone beside me sometimes? Of course not! I’m human. I love people, and I love sharing life with them.
But I refuse to miss the blessings God has for me TODAY because I’m waiting for someone to share TOMORROW with.
I’m learning that healing doesn’t always happen in big, dramatic moments.
Sometimes it happens when you finally do something you’ve been avoiding because the memories attached to it were too painful.
Sometimes healing looks like pressing PLAY. 🍿❤️
Don't Chase Tomorrow While Missing Today
Here is the beautiful thing about God's timing.
We can spend so much time looking ahead to what we hope He will bring into our lives that we fail to recognize what He has already placed in front of us.
We pray for the right relationships, the right opportunities, the next open door, or the fulfillment of a promise.
And there's nothing wrong with looking forward to those things!
But what about today?
What about the blessings already surrounding us?
What about the opportunities we have right now to laugh, love, serve, worship, explore, and simply enjoy being alive?
God didn't give us this day just to wish it away while waiting for the next one.
Psalm 118:24 reminds us:
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
Not tomorrow. Not someday when everything falls into place.
THIS DAY!
Sometimes We Need to Stop and Smell the Roses 🌹
Interestingly enough, I recently wrote a song called Stop and Smell the Roses.
And tonight, I realized just how much I needed to listen to the message of my own song!
In the chorus, I wrote:
"So I’ll stop and smell the roses
Let the moment open wide
Jesus, You are close beside me
There is grace in taking time
I don’t have to chase tomorrow
When Your love is here today
I’ll breathe in all Your goodness
And let the hurry fade away."
Wow!
Sometimes God uses the very things He has placed in our hearts to minister right back to us.
I don't have to chase tomorrow.
I don't have to wait until everything looks the way I thought it would.
I don't have to wait for someone else to show up before I begin enjoying the life God has already given me.
His love is here TODAY.
His goodness is here TODAY.
And there are still so many beautiful moments waiting to be experienced TODAY.
A Little Encouragement for You
So here’s my encouragement to anyone who has been putting parts of their life on hold:
Watch the movie. Take the trip. Go to dinner. Visit that place you’ve always wanted to see. Make new memories. Pursue your calling. Laugh again. LIVE!
And when God brings people into your life who genuinely want to share those experiences with you, welcome them with open arms!
But until then, don’t stop living.
Make room in your life for people to walk beside you, but don’t stop walking when they don’t.
God has given us one life to live here on this earth, and I intend to make the most of the time He has given me!
Tonight, I’m pressing PLAY on more than just a movie.
I’m pressing PLAY on my life again! ❤️
Life is short, friends. Don’t get so caught up waiting for tomorrow that you forget to enjoy the blessings God has placed right in front of you TODAY.
Take time to STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES! 🌹
🎶 Listen to My Song: Stop and Smell the Roses
I invite you to listen to this song I wrote and take a few moments to reflect on the blessings God has placed in your life today.
Maybe there's something you've been putting off. Maybe there's an experience you've been waiting to share with someone else. Maybe it's time to take that first step toward enjoying life again.
🎵 Listen to Stop and Smell the Roses — Cynthia Prather
With love and blessings,
Cynthia Prather
Founder, Eagles’ Awakening
We learn together, grow together, and go together. 🦅