Today Is All I Have

I used to feel sorry for Karen. Now, I wonder if she feels sorry for us. You see, she has a life completely free of baggage and worry, of bondage and burden. And the rest of us… well, we got junk.

Her story could have been a deadly tragedy. She was driving a car 25 years ago and hit a tree, almost dying in the process. Hospital stays, rehab and plenty of treatments followed.

She has no recollection of that day. Or the day prior. In fact, she can’t recall any of her life before the accident.

There might be a certain bliss in that, a chance to start another life. But what complicates Karen’s life is that the condition has continued for the rest of her days.

She simply doesn’t remember yesterday. Her brain was damaged in such a way that her short-term memory is all that she has.

I see her at Bible study every week, she sweetly hugs me and says hello. But there’s no recall. It doesn’t matter. She’s a friend and a sister and the fellowship is a given.

But her heart is so pure, so innocent and refreshingly open to God, because she lives just for today.

Last night, she breathlessly told all of us that she just hour by hour, because that’s all she has. In fact, she divides the day’s moments up like I might divide up months or years. And tomorrow has no consequence to her either, so there’s no need to plan, no dread about the future, and only utter dependence on God.

And although the tragedy was terrible, her dependence on God is the way it should be. Every day, she wakes up with no regret, no anger, and no bitterness. Every day, she starts with a fresh slate, ready for God to bless her and teach her. Every day, she opens her eyes and remembers that she is loved and that there is a God.

Just for today, give me such a simple life.

Just for today, help me to forget the past.

Just for today, help me trust God – wholly – for the future.

What a day that would be.