Live for today. That seems to be the way of the world. Live for now. Do what makes you feel good. Spend now, pay later. Don’t worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself. And in a sense that is correct. Today is all we have, yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here yet, so yes, “LIVE FOR TODAY.”

But make sure we live today for the right reasons. This morning was just another day for most people, but for some it was their judgement day. 10,000- 20,000 people. Young, old, rich and poor, some sick, some never felt better. They woke up this morning, just another day, or maybe they had big plans or were making plans for tomorrow or next summer. God had other plans for them. Were they ready? Are You?

In Matthew 24:36-44 and in Mark 13:32-37, Jesus tells us to be prepared, for we know not the hour or the day, but the Father alone knows. So we need to ask ourselves the question “Are you ready?” If this is your last day on earth, are you ready? Have you done all you can to prepare yourself, to help others? Or have you put things off. “I’m still young yet. I have too much in life to experience before I worry about dying. or my personal favorite (that I’ve used way to often) “I’ll do it later, or tomorrow.” I’ve got plenty of time, or do I?

Born in St Louis, baseball is in my blood and while I’m still heartbroken by their collapse in the playoffs this year it is perfect example of giving your best today. Last year and most of his year, they played as if every game was their last. Qualified on the last day of the season last year, down their last strike again and again, they never quit. Gave their best effort, beat teams that were me talented than them, yet they were crowned World Champions. This year again, they had to fight till the ed of the season to qualify. Given no chance, had to come back from a large (6-0) deficit to advance against the Giants. The Giants had to come back in both their series to advance. Than something unusual for the Cardinals happened, they were the team with the insurmountable lead, up 3-1, needing to only win one of the next 3 games to advance to the World Series, again as  wild card team.

But they forgot what got them there, forgot their drive, their focus, their fight to win the next game, while the Giants had that drive, that desire, that focus to win today. The Cardinals lost the first game, made a few errors, didn’t have the ball bounce their way. Still loose, no problem, we just need to win one of the next two, while the Giants were still playing to win today. The results were predictable, the Giants won going away to advance to the World Series. The Cardinals, and my heart were crushed.

They played, knowing they still had tomorrow if they failed. Not that they didn’t give their best efforts. But when you give your best today, not counting on tomorrow, the ball seems to bounce your way more often. Congratulations to the Giants, good luck in the World Series, and in the words of sports fan everywhere, “We’ll get you next year.”

So don’t forget to play for today, you may not have tomorrow.                                    God bless and have a good day, George

Ps. I knew I could work in baseball somehow.