"We must live every moment of our life as if it were our last."
- St. Francis de Sales
Live Every Moment
By Mahoganey Dixon McCrae '02
BSN, RNC-NIC, CPN
Waking up in the morning, turning on or logging into our various technological savvy ways of connecting to the world around us, we are living in the midst of uncertainty: uncertainty of whether today will be our last day on this earth. With so much violence, injustice, and political unrest, this is a time in our history and lives when, if you do not know God or your relationship with him is in a state of brokenness, this is a time one needs connect with him through prayer, worship, and/or fasting.
I have always had a relationship with God, but at times I felt a little more separated from him by my own choosing. As most young adults, I went through stages of learning the word of God and applying it to my life, but there were times where I felt mundane. I was just going through the motions of life itself.
When I reached my 30s, I had a moment when things finally made sense from a biblical standpoint. My relationship with God, my husband, my children, my family, friends, and colleagues began to connect on another level. It was the first time I really put God first in my life, and realized life was so much bigger than just me. Life was about being a vehicle for God and showing God's glory. It was not until I put him first that I was able to see and hear him clearly. Blessings upon blessings started to flow abundantly. Doors started to open for not only me, but all those I prayed for. In a world that seems so divided, unjust, and quite frankly, uncertain, it was important for me to maintain a spirit of positivity and gain insight, discernment, and application of the word of God in order to be a disciple of Christ.
With all the positivity in the world, it still seemed and seems incredibly difficult to see the forest beyond the trees. I asked myself time and time again, "How do you live when there is so much turmoil and death that surrounds us on a daily basis?" After much prayer and reflection, my answer was simple.
In the midst of troubling times, doubt, worry, and fear seem to lurk in the darkness awaiting the perfect opportunity to conquer the nonbeliever and broken spirited individual. I have learned through life's experience that it is important to embrace life and focus on its beauty. Live in the moment and do not be a prisoner to your circumstances or the world around you. Live a life according to God's purpose for you, and be content. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34
Direction of Intention
(St. Francis de Sales)
Oh my God, I give you this day
I offer you now all of the good which I shall do.
I promise to accept for love of you all of the difficulty which I shall meet.
Help me to conduct myself during this day in a manner most pleasing to you.
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Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
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Special thanks to Cecilia Kane '16 for the banner photo.