Not for nothing do the wise counsel us to take one day at a time. Yes, we make plans for the future of course, but some days are so fraught with trouble and unknowing that to look past them can just be too frightening to contemplate. There is a clever little Bible verse from Matthew which says “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” In other words, let’s handle what is in front of us to do and not seek any more trouble. Yes, there are plans for the long haul, and then again there is simply putting one foot in front of the other to pass through a knotty situation. The wisdom lies in knowing the difference.
Complexities can arise...
Life can be a bit simpler for the very young and the very old, but even this is not a given. Complexities can arise at any time, and some of the best-laid plans must give way under exigent circumstances. It would appear that in these complicated times anything can appear when we are involved in other things. Therefore we could ask: What can I count on? Where is my support? Others who love us will do what they can. This is the reward, we might say, for extending ourselves to others. But sometimes even those closest may not have necessary answers or solutions. What remains…always…is ourselves, and what we know of ourselves. If we know we can count on ourselves in the long run, we can count on ourselves in the short run also. When the best course is to pick our ways carefully through a sudden breakdown, we can do it, one day, one hour at a time.
Life teaches us...
If we will learn, life teaches us about ourselves. We know our strengths, and we know where our help lies as well…in our practices, in our prayer work, in our endurance, in simply letting go. One day at a time, one step at a time, one prayer, one pause.
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