It's Finally Here!!!

2016. It's here. It's now. I have been looking forward to the year of 2016 ever since middle school. 2016...the year I graduate from high school...the year I can work summer staff at camp...the year that I go off to start the grand adventure called college...and many other experiences and responsibilities that come with being an adult. 2016.

Ok...2016 is here....now what?

As I have been thinking back over the years, I have begun to realize that I missed out on a lot. I was constantly looking forward to 2016 that I missed the little things. Sure, I have lots of memories of the big things but I don't remember many of the small things: the times that a family member or friend did or said something to brighten my day, the horrible puns my brother said that would make me laugh and want to slap him both at the same time and all the times of just sweet fellowship with my family and friends (even if they were filled with short jokes and blonde jokes). I was constantly looking forward to 2016 that I didn't thoroughly enjoy life...I didn't pay attention and remember the little things.

James 4:14 says "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

All those years that I spent waiting for 2016 are now gone, they have "vanished away". Life is short! We don't know how much longer we will be on this earth. It is only by the grace of God that we wake up each morning. Every day is a gift from God, a gift to be cherished.

I want to challenge both you and myself to pay attention to the little things in life...the little blessings. Maybe even buy a journal and write them down so in years to come you can look back on the little things, the little rays of sunshine. Don't do what I did and waste precious time living in the future, looking forward to a certain date, year or event. Live in the present. Pay attention. And don't forget to thank God for the little things in life.

~Ruby James