15 years ago I heard an sermon by a man who was in his 70’s. He had served in the navy for many years. He was talking about the uncertainty of life every day. I don’t remember much about his sermon except this one phrase has stuck with me: “live in day-tight compartments”.
He was talking about how frightening it was in the navy during WWII and how you never knew what was going to happen – what you would be called upon to do. There were high risk, crazy things happening all the time; bombings, battles, etc. They taught the troops to live one day at a time. Make it through today – don’t worry about tomorrow. This brought him great freedom during the war. He asked God for grace to make it through each day, and was thankful at the end of each day for making it through that day.
Jesus talks about how the birds live in Matthew 6. How they don’t worry about tomorrow, God provides for them each day. “Who by worrying has added a single day to his life? Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
I am not very good at living in day-tight compartments. I am a person who plans ahead to a fault. But in recent days, which have been pretty stressful on many fronts, I have tried to live more in day-tight compartments. To wake up each day and give that day to God. At the end of the day thank God for making it. Tomorrow is a new day. I can get through each day, one day at a time.
Last night after dark I sat outside on our deck. It was a balmy night. The sounds of nature blended with the distant sounds of the city. I was still. I was at peace. I sensed God’s incredible presence, of which I am not worthy. It had been a good day, full of friends, family and yard work. So much to be thankful for. I sat there for about 30 minutes basking in the quiet. As I thought about the week ahead, I decided to continue in day-tight compartments. In the morning I would start the new day. Right then I would bask in the quiet, the peace and be thankful.
The to-do list is long. The work ahead is hard. But each day is something to treasure. I can do each day, as God leads and provides, one day at a time.
