TimelyThoughts

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Last night Gil mentioned in passing that Keller is 87 days old [today]. Doesn't that sound remarkable? For some reason, when we convert a time signature to another value, the 'logic' shifts, and we 'see' time from a completely different perspective.

I was unprepared for his next statement: "Bethany has a milestone of sorts coming up. She's almost 8000 days old."

Egads!

Immediately the Scripture came to my mind. Teach us to number our days . . .

Unto what end? That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Have my days reflected a growth in wisdom? Does my heart acknowledge that our days are fleeting upon this earth; that our life is as a vapor, or a blade of grass that withers in the sun?

This manner of thinking took me to the day this past summer when I received a phone call from my Mom.


Because of her gracious manner, I knew through her careful choice of words that what she was about to speak carried ominous weight ~ and it did. Her health was in immediate jeapordy, an unusual circumstance. I can recall being relatively calm with her on the phone, but a very short time later, completely overcome with the gravity of her words and loosing it. What?? Life without my mother? I simply could not imagine it.

Thankfully, the health issue has been resolved. With God's grace, I'll enjoy my Mom for many years to come. A valued blessing in my world.

So, this morning, Gil has placed on my desktop the excel program that tracks for him the stated value of days that his family lives:

• Keller is 87 days old
• Israel is 4,877 days old
• Aubrey is 5,475 days old
• Tif is 7,400 days old
• Beth is 7,969 days old
• Angi is 15,172 days old
• Gil is 17,375 days old

I then pour over his photo files from the '30's, '40's and upward, with a new respect and admiration for the wisdom that has been passed on from one generation to the next . . .

Gil's Dad, circa 1930's

Gil, Third Grade, circa 1960's

. . .and a fresh look at David's words in Psalm 39: 4-5:

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.