Cherish the Moment: A Call to Presence, Joy, and Connection

A high school lacrosse team celebrates a triumphant win on the field, huddled together in a joyous embrace with their coach joining in the excitement.

In a world constantly pushing us toward the next big thing—the next milestone, the next goal, the next level of success—it’s easy to forget the power of simply being present. But life is not just made up of grand achievements. Life is made up of moments. And when we fail to cherish those moments, we risk missing the very essence of what it means to be alive.

Slow Down and Be Present

We often get caught up in what we lack or what’s going wrong. Our minds spiral into stress, anxiety, and longing, robbing us of the beauty that’s right in front of us. But there’s a certain bliss found in the present. It’s in the small things—the laughter of friends, the warmth of family, the simple conversations, the stillness of early mornings—that life whispers, “This is it. This is what matters.”

Reflecting on my own journey, I think back to my days playing college football. What do I miss most? Not the touchdowns or the crowd’s roar, but the moments. The locker room banter. The shared meals. The travel days. The camaraderie. Those were the real treasures. And if I hadn’t slowed down to appreciate them, they might have slipped right past me, unnoticed.

Life is About Connection

At the end of the day, life isn’t about how much you own or how high you’ve climbed on the ladder of success. It’s about people. It’s about connection. It’s about those meaningful relationships that fill your life with purpose. You could have all the wealth in the world, but if you lack connection, it all feels empty—vanity upon vanity.

For me, the most meaningful relationship is my relationship with God. Everything else flows from that. My joy, my peace, my strength—it all starts with Him. “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” and it’s that strength that carries me through both triumphs and trials.

Joy is a Choice

Here’s a truth that can shift your perspective: Joy is not a result of your circumstances. It’s a choice. Unlike happiness, which comes and goes depending on what’s happening around you, joy can be cultivated in any moment—even in the midst of pain or suffering.

Whatever season you’re in right now, know this: It will pass. If things are difficult, that won’t last forever. So find the joy where you are. Choose to be grateful, even if everything isn’t perfect. Because joy is found in perspective, not perfection.

Cherish Yourself, Too

In our busy lives, we rarely take time to reflect. But self-reflection is how we acknowledge our growth, our blessings, and our resilience. Take time to be still. Cherish your own journey. Celebrate how far you’ve come, even if you’re not yet where you want to be.

Gratitude can change everything. When we stop to notice what we do have, rather than dwell on what we don’t, we begin to see life through a new lens. We begin to understand that even when life isn’t going perfectly, it’s still worth cherishing.

Be a Light

So here’s the challenge: Be a light. Let your life radiate joy and gratitude, even when things are hard. Let your presence bring peace to others. You never know what someone else is going through, and your light might be what gets them through their darkest hour.

Don’t play yourself small. Shine. Be great. Be present. Be grateful. And most of all—cherish the moment.

As always, stay blessed. And enjoy the gift of now.

If this message spoke to you, share it with someone. You never know whose life you might touch.