Lately, I have been seeing a lot of memes about gay men; before we talk about though, you need to know a common trope that some people believe about gay men: we all walk fast. Science aside, this is obviously quite the assumption. I always associated my fast walking with my long legs and thus long strides, but to attribute it to my gayness seems a bit of a stretch? (no pun intended, but way too good to pass up)

Anyways, I have seen two versions of this meme: 

“No wonder gays walk fast… have you seen how much iced coffee they drink?” OR “How do gays manage to walk so fast yet still show up so late?” 

This got me thinking about my own life (and maybe you can relate?). How can we expect to live in the moment when everything is going by so fast? If you look at my calendar, it is packed back to back with events, classes, work, and scheduled friend hang-out time. How am I supposed to be present in the moment with these things (some of which I’m paying a lot of money to attend) if I’m always focused on what is coming up next? 

As I have mentioned in other blog entries, I’m also a planner, so today I spent close to an hour and a half filling out a spreadsheet of my last three semesters at MTSU with each class I’d take. I don’t even know if the ones I’m picking are going to be offered! Why do I find comfort in having a plan on paper when it ultimately makes no difference for my here and now? 

I say this knowing there are things one should plan for, like a baby for instance. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether or not I have my exact coursework written down for Spring and Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. In a heartbeat this could all be pointless! 

This week, I’m challenging myself to be more present in the moment and be appreciative of each interaction I have with someone. I challenge myself to give over my future to God and not worry about it every minute of every day. God is so much more than I could ever imagine, and my shabby Excel spreadsheet has nothing on the goodness and joy God has already planned for my life. These times that I am now were what I was praying for a year ago, and I can’t even enjoy them because I’m counting up how many credit hours I need to graduate. 

For me to be the best in each moment, I have to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually present. This week I challenge myself to be present in my conversations with friends, classmates, professors, coworkers, my parents, and anyone who I cross paths with. I challenge myself to slow down and take in my surroundings and not worry about checking off everything on my planner. 

God did not design us for busyness nor exhaustion; we are designed for love and for joy. We find time this week to press pause and reflect on our belovedness and the joy in our lives.