so i can pull it out on the most frantic of days, but it is just not the same. when i am watching the last of the morning mist evaporate from the face of the lake or the last sunset over the ocean, a sadness creeps over me. i remind myself not lose the joy of the moment by allow-ing my thoughts to distract me and to stay in the present. i tell myself that the present (now) is the present (gift).
so often this is how we approach worship. we feel the warmth of our god family round about us and are soaking in the joy and love that is 