Do I Have To?

Do I have to?
In a world full of depression, anger, frustration, and anxiety, and hopelessness this is a question worth further examination. Repeat this question to yourself about 10 times in the most whiny tone you can muster. What did you hear? Immaturity? Selfishness? In my opinion it is a question too often used in our culture today.
As a little league baseball coach I was amazed at the apathy among the little leaguers, including my own son. That question seem to loom judging form the kid's body language and lack of hustle. It seemed the latest pokeman character was far more interesting in the dugout than studying the pitcher. Do I have to do this????
I recently heard a story of a young mom overwhelmed by the struggles of raising her kids. It was a constant "have to" that was really dragging her down. But one day after a doctor's appointment all of that changed. After a diagnosis of cancer, her paradigm shifted radically. What once was a burden, a drudgery, a "have to" now became a privilege, an honor, a "GET TO."
What would happen if we all could somehow shift our "have to's" to "get to's?"
DO I GET TO ?
Say that ten times....

NOW

Last night, I had the privilege of putting my baby girl to sleep. As per our routine, we rocked and read a book. I was reluctant to read at first, having read this particular simple book many times. But as my baby drifted closer and closer to nodding off, I found myself hypnotised by the drone of Dr. Seuss.
The crisis came when the book ended. Now what? Hope (my daughter) is almost asleep but I'm out of pages. I really could use some quiet time to myself and her somber is my ticket to the QT!
And in a split second it hit me! I'm an artist. Keep the poem going. So in my best attempt I spouted spontaneous "Cat in the Hat" style rhymes. From doors to windows to shoes to pillows I drew inspiration from the room. I got lost in the challenge of creating rhymes with cadence that actually made some sort of sense. I was rolling baby! "This is fun" I thought to myself.
And then a beautiful thing happened. As I continued to let the lyrics flow, I noticed my baby and how beautiful and peaceful she was.
Out of my haste I stopped for a moment in time.
I tasted the moment.
Just me, my baby and Jesus.
It was good. Very good.
A birth happened at this point. No longer nonsense but heartfelt words. A poem. Poetry? That's not exactly manly, right? But here's my hope (not my daughter but the actual word).... My prayer is that this will somehow help others to savor those moments.
Here goes:

Now
by Steve Glover

I look to the future, I stare at the past
But now is what counts
now is what lasts

Now will be the past
Now shapes tomorrow
Now fills life with joy
or now brings much sorrow

So when life is consumed
by worry or regret
just remember how NOW
is the most important now yet