Improve the Shining Moments

It's a unique, but wonderful work place that begins each week with a Monday morning devotional.  :)  Today I was inspired by a song we sang together:
Improve the Shining Moments
Improve the shining moments; Don't let them pass you by.
Work while the sun is radiant; Work, for the night draws nigh.
We cannot bid the sunbeams To lengthen out their stay,
Nor can we ask the shadow To ever stay away.
Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back.
It comes, then passes forward Along its onward track.
And if we are not mindful, The chance will fade away, 
For life is quick in passing. 'Tis as a single day.
As wintertime doth follow The pleasant summer days,
So may our joys all vanish And pass far from our gaze.
Then should we not endeavor Each day some point to gain,
That we may here be useful And ev'ry wrong disdain?
Improve each shining moment.  In this you are secure
For promptness bringeth safety And blessings rich and pure.
Let prudence guide your actions; Be honest in your heart;
And God will love and bless you And help to you impart.
- Text and music: Robert B. Baird (See Alma 34:32–33 and Psalm 119:60)

I think the message of repenting today (as mentioned in these scriptures) is very important, but the thing that touched me today was the idea of living in the present and making a difference right now where we are--not missing a moment to do something good.  Don't suppress a generous thought or put off a kind word or action because someone probably already knows. Don't assume someone else will take care of a service that needs to be done.  Life is all about the moments we live in NOW and how we use our time to bless and serve and love.  Why worry about ten minutes, ten months or ten years from now when there's something good that can be done now?  :)  I like to be organized and prepared for things, but I realize that sometimes we have to just go and do.  Don't be shy!  We can be a force for good NOW in whatever position and circumstance we're in.  Joseph Smith didn't have a lot of time to sit and think, but spent a lot of time doing and using the moments he had!

I just finished a wonderful book by Elder Maxwell about discipleship.  One thing that really struck me was a thought he shared at the end of the book about our challenges matching our station or status or preparation.  In other words, once we learn and overcome a challenge there will be something new, so we must have patience and continue to learn and grow.  It's not like we will get to a point where it's easy and without stress--there are just new stresses.  This wasn't a discouraging thought to me, but a reminder of the reality and importance of relying on and trusting in the Lord and doing what we can right now, improving on the moments we have and moving forward.

Moving forward in the moment....I think that's what I'm supposed to be learning right now.  Now I need to DO something about it!  :)