Today – Tomorrow . . . It Can All Be So Confusing
When our daughter was a very little girl she had a terrible time understanding the difference between today and tomorrow. We couldn’t even talk about yesterday.
For example –
We’d say, “We’re going to do __________ tomorrow.”
Daughter reacted with great enthusiasm.
The next morning she’d get up and ask, “Is it tomorrow?” (Who knew this was a hard question.)
We’d reply, “No, it’s today.”
She’d say, “But I want it to be tomorrow so we can do __________.”
“It sounds like our version of who’s on first, doesn’t it?”
We would quickly tell our disappointed girl, “Honey, we are going to do that.”
And of course our sweet girl would say, “But it’s not tomorrow.”
Kiddos aren’t the only ones who have trouble with today and tomorrow.
You and I can worry about tomorrow. Wait for tomorrow. Procrastinate until tomorrow. Start over tomorrow. But we can only live today.
You can worry about tomorrow –
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” ~Charles Spurgeon
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34
“If and When were planted, and Nothing grew.” ~ Proverb
You can wait for tomorrow –
Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. – John Ortberg
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3
“Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Don’t. You are in good company… You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes and ladders and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope.” ~John Piper
You can procrastinate until tomorrow –
“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week” ~a Spanish Proverb
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Proverbs 3:27–28
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” ~Abraham Lincoln
You can start over tomorrow –
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” ~Mary Anne Radmacher
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1–2a
“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” ~L.M.Montgomery
But you can only live today –
Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you will ever be again.
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ~Martin Luther
Help each other. Speak day after day to each other while it is still today so your heart will not become hard by being fooled by sin. Hebrews 3:13
“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” ~Henri Nouwen
Celebrate today. Live it with confidence that it is covered by grace. Hope for tomorrow, but don’t wait . . . follow where the Lord leads you filled with the blessings only He can give.
Hey Deb,
Well, it looks like it’s just you and me this morning! I think everyone is at the beach this week! Wish we could join them!
Hope you are doing well today. Thank you for hosting this blessings link up.
And, I really appreciate your post. You have so many great quotes and words of wisdom. I really like this one, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” ~Martin Luther
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
I love how you bless my today in reminding me not to worry about tomorrow! I love this compilation of great wisdom, insight and Scriptural truth all woven together. Beautiful! Thank you!
Thank you for the encouraging words and for hosting the party. Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Deb, I always love all the encouraging quotes that I find in your writing. Thank you for your Christ-exalting words and for your warm hospitality here.
I love the quotes in this post! Especially “If and When were planted and Nothing grew.” I need to put that on my fridge or something! 🙂 I want my kids to see it and be motivated either now or later in life.
Thank you for sharing, Deb! I will be featuring you at Grace & Truth tomorrow. Please stop by and grab the featured button!
Wonderful thoughts – from the mouths of babes, eh? Really makes us think sometimes. This parenting thing really IS Spiritual Warfare! Thanks for linking up at Christian Fellowship and, if you didn’t already link up this week, you still have time! 🙂 Blessings!
Deb, I always love your posts!! They are always so uplifting and encouraging and always gives me so much food for thought. I thank God for who you are and for what you do! Writing these delightful and inspiring posts are such a wonderful blessing, not only to me, but to so many out there! I have been reading your posts for over a year now but never had the courage to send a comment of blessing and praise to you. All of your posts have meant so much to me…and to quote another quote, though i don’t know who authored it, is, “to the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” A faithful reader who so appreciates your ministry!
Oh, Kathy! Your kind words have truly blessed me today. Thank you so very much! I feel greatly blessed to be able to do what I do. I love sharing my story and the wonderful ways God has worked in my life. Thank you for taking the time to let me know that my stories encourage you. God be with you and bless you!
Thank you so much for your sweet reply!! It made my day! I love your posts because you sound so down to earth and have problems and struggles just like everyone else. Some devotions i read may give instructions or scripture on how to deal with life, but its more like teacher/student. I love that you let yourself be and sound and act “normal”just like all if us out here in the reading world!! We truly believe in God and depend on God’s Word, but stumble and fumble and just plain fall down at times, no matter how hard we try to take captive our thoughts to change them for the Lord’s glory! My great niece wanted to know if there were any Bible Versus for “rolling your eyes!” She said, I dont really get angry, but I roll my eyes alot!” Oh, to be so humble in wanting to follow God!! But your sweet words always touch my heart and soul and fill me with hope that God loves me and knows how hard I’m trying to grow and mature in my faith and service to Him. May God bless you to keep on reaching all those who need a bit of comfort and an inspiring uplift for their hungry and thirsty souls. I have saved several of your posts and reread them…in between your regular emails. You are a blessing to me, and feel like your also my friend. Thank you from a very grateful reader!!
Kathy, Thank you! You just voiced my heart! It is my goal to let my readers know that I am with them . . . that I struggle just like they do. I’m so glad it’s coming through in my writing. I laughed out loud when I read your niece’s words. Tell her, I roll my eyes a lot too! Just ask my husband. LOL So, we can be thankful for God’s patience with eye-rollers too! God bless you and thanks again!
Thank you sooo! And yes, my sweet niece! She is a sweet and obedient child and has already been saved! She keeps us all in line! I’m sure you keep all of us readers in your prayers and it is so appreciated. I keep you in mine also. I think all of us need all the prayers we can get from one another!
Psalm 18:28 For Thou wilt light my candle: The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Through you, God does indeed enlighten the darkness. Bless you, Deb and hope you have a glorious weekend with our Father in Heaven blessing your heart to give us more!!
P.S. i wasn’t putting the teacher/student devotions down at all. It certainly does serve a great purpose too…i’m sorry if that came across in the wrong way.
Oh, not at all, Kathy. I work so hard to not give that impression. You’re right! We need all kinds of teachers but I feel blessed that you see my heart as to why I write the way I do. Blessings!
Your love for God and your devotion to Him comes through loud and clear and yet your sweet, caring and humble heart comes thru ever so gently with compassion and understanding. I have been hooked since reading my first Deb Wolf devotional and so very thankful God directed me to find you! I love your heart felt and heart filled writing style and admire you for so many reasons!! And i love your picture too!! Your joy in the Lord is so evident! Even your eyes are smiling!! I love that…it’s amazing how a simple smile can touch the heart and tell them a million things even when no words are spoken between them. I’m so thankful that God gave us smiles!! Blessings always!