Day 130 Teach Us to Number Our Days

5/10/2025

 "So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

Morning came a bit too early for me this morning, as I struggled so hard not to rise and shine! I remember my Mother waking me up when I was a kid, and I took the same approach with my children when they didn't want to rise or shine! Actually, I used to sing:

"When the red, red, robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, along
There'll be no more sobbin', when he starts throbbin' his old sweet song
Ah, wake up, wake up you sleepy head
Get up, get up, get out of bed
Cheer up, cheer up, the sun is red
Live, love, laugh and be happy"

 

By the time I sang the last phrase, the pillows were flying in my direction as I danced merrily around the room. I believe in making childhood fun. I asked my older son once if he remembered that song. He remarked that he did, and it was why he was still in therapy! At least I tried to make even the mundane things, like getting ready for school or church on Sunday mornings, fun. 

 

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, and it's not really a holiday I celebrate since my Mother is with Jesus, but it is nice when the little kids at church recognize mothers with a flower as we walk into the sanctuary. I'll have to think of some really nice memories I have either of my childhood with my Mama or Grammy. I was always at my grandmother's house. Or, perhaps, something unusual about my early days as mama. I'm sure there are plenty. Maybe Daniel will finally share the Christmas video he tells me about, when he was six months old, and I dropped him, or so the story goes. Knowing him, he probably squirmed out of my arms. He was the adventurous one, even at a very young age. But, that's tomorrow's tale.

 

I went to bed around 2:30 am last night/this morning, and I got up by 6 am. I had cut the grass and pulled weeds plus more yard work. I'd been out in the yard for three days trying to get things done. I guess it caught up with me. I thought this morning was Friday, so I asked Daniel if he'd gone swimming! He was temporarily dazed and confused, but we managed to figure it out. There would be someone who would suggest that my confusion was the result of advancing age, but this was from stupidity in not going to bed at a reasonable time. I've been snoozing off and on all day, so tonight I need to force myself to get into bed as soon as I finish my watch at midnight. Something has got to give!!

 

My initial thoughts about "numbering our days," came as I was talking about the brevity of life a few days ago. Then a couple of days ago I learned another friend had died last year. It seems as if I'm always the last to know. I'm sure many have heard the question asked, "If you knew this was your last day, how would you spend it?" It's a sobering thought, but for me it's something I think about often, and I try to keep a short account. 

 

I've shared Psalm 139 so many times, as it speaks of God's creation, craftsmanship, unique design of each person made in the image of God. He actually planned it out. 

 

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous 

are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden 

from You,  when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the 

earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book  they are

all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them." 

 

Psalm 139:16

 

I am always praising God for His wondrous creation, and I marvel that each person created in His image, has a book with our name on it. Psalm 139 has a title "God's Perfect Knowledge of Man." If there is any doubt that we have a God who loves us, this psalm should lay that idea to rest. Listen to how it begins in verses 1-6:

 "O LORD, You have searches me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;

You understand my thought afar off. 

You comprehend my path and my lying 

down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue, but

behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You

have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your

hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful 

for me; it is high, I cannot attain it."

 

It is such a sobering thought to consider that God planned each detail of each life, and He is concerned about every aspect of our lives. He even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:26-31).  We live our lives vicariously through the finished work of Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins, so we could have fellowship with God the Father. All He asks is our love and trust. Jesus has done everything needed to approach a Holy God through His righteousness alone are we made clean. His blood gave us access to His Presence. He loved us even in our sins. When Adam sinned, he tried to hide from God, and there is no where we can hide. He sees everything, knows everything, and still He love us (verses 7-12, 17-18). I encourage you to read the entire psalm, ending in these words: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Each day I say these words, and they are written on my heart. The words remind me that I am not perfect, and I need to examine my heart daily so that I remain in an attitude of thanksgiving and praise.

 

So, here's the question again: "If you knew this was your last day, how would you spend it?" Would you change anything about your life? Knowing that there's a book in heaven with your name it, would you wonder if you'd done what God put you here to do, besides love Him, of course. We all have gifts and callings, do you know yours? Are you walking in His ways? How are your relationships? I know this is an area I focus on, as I seem to let certain people down regardless of how I walk or comb my hair...that part is just me being silly, but truthfully, we cannot please everyone. And should we even try? We must be authentic and kind, but we have to set boundaries, and they are okay, as long as our walk follows Christ's examples. But forgiveness is important. God has spoken very sternly about forgiving others, even ourselves. So let's work hard on it. Let's number our days with acts of kindness, compassion, and the love of God breathed out in every breath of our lives. When someone looks at us, let them see Jesus!