Morning Misadventure (11/07/2026)

The past few weeks have presented many challenges to me that have not really added to my sense of peace. Then this morning, I was getting dressed and when I put on my britches, they didn’t feel right. I immediately thought, “Oh, no, now I’m gaining weight.” On the way to the mirror to see if my tummy had ballooned overnight, I was trying to figure out what I’d been eating that was wrong. But when I got to the mirror, I realized my weight wasn’t my problem but my mindfulness, my presence in the moment, that needed work. I was wearing my britches backwards.

So, I had a serious talk with myself, so serious it required sitting down with a glass of tea and my journal on the porch. Being present isn’t just a philosophy; it’s part of my job description as a follower of Christ. If I am not “present”, I am absent, I am unaware. That just isn’t a good practice for one called to see the LORD in every moment and looking for the power and presence of the LORD, manifestations of His love, at work in my life and world. A “careless Christian” isn’t an oxymoron for a new and improved spiritual journey; being a “careless Christian” is walking away from Christ mindlessly.

Jesus never told us the journey would be easy. In fact, He was very up front with us. “You must deny self, pick up your cross, and follow me.” The journey will have suffering. The journey will beg me to forgo my immediate pleasure for eternal joy and life in abundance. And the journey requires me to be present, to be aware of my actions and even my thoughts, to guard against evil and pursue the loving and righteous path in every situation. As the journey demands that I be present, I am reminded that it so I can choose wisely moment to moment. Putting one’s britches on backward doesn’t merit an emergency visit to the confessional, but it does make me stop to ponder what other foolish things I may have unconsciously done that were perhaps uncaring, unloving, unbecoming one who is on “the Way.”

It was just a morning malfunction, but the LORD used it to remind me that I long for life with “I AM.” Being present in the moment, being mindful of what I’m doing, it is required.

As we continue our journeys in faith, buoyed and bolstered by hope in the promise of our LORD, and fueled by love, let us seek to stay present and be present so that we might stay loving and be loving – intentional and aware on the journey home.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.