Rejoicing in the Present Tense

This morning 37 middle school students showed up at Hardee's for Breakfast Club. I simply adore this group of young disciples who really want to be there. Today's lesson taken from Psalm 118 was one of which they were quite familiar. Many have been singing this song since they were three or four years old:"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
One of the hallmarks of our society is that we live in the future tense. My radio alarm clock sounded that reminder today as the voice of NPR's Neil Conan reported that we were only 13 days away from the most important election in modern day history. Immediately those angst feelings of uncertainty and disdain for the negativity that has permeated both campaigns in the last few weeks washed over me again before I even got out of my bed.
I know we can't put our heads in the sand and wish our future away. But living in the future tense brings with it some real problems. This past weekend I was able to enjoy a few days on one of Georgia's beautiful barrier Islands, Sapelo. I remarked to our Breakfast Club that I was so overwhelmed by the tranquility and peacefulness of this place that I was actually able to step out of future tense living for a brief time and experience "being glad in the present." It was very spiritual and liberating for me. The beauty of it all is that not only are those present moments precious to God and to us - but that we are in those moments together. Whatever happens on November 4th belongs to the future. What I know right now (in the present) is that I can still replace my anxiety over the future by rejoicing in this day! Another meaning in the Greek word for rejoice is to thrive. Today I choose to thrive in the present and be glad in it!