"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the
number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4
Our writing prompt asks, what
comes to mind with the word “gift”? I think of the gift of today. I thank God
for every day I live. I hope that doesn’t sound trite dear reader? There are
all sorts of other gifts that come to my mind but I have settled on today. A
day can include many things.
Today I spent time
with some of my teachers. My teachers remind me of the daily treasure of
breathing. Breathing is something I may take for granted unless my asthma shows
its ugly face. Often my teachers struggle to breathe. Healthy days are behind
them.
My teachers remind
me our days are fleeting. Scripture lays that out for me as well. I am all too
aware that things go sour in the world. Some of my teachers live in days of
misery. I often come alongside people who are dying. They teach me to live for
today even under the shadow of suffering.
The gift of today
touched my heart. A woman my wife knows came to our home. Her son died due to a
mistake of his doctors. She said she and her family would make the best they
can of Christmas. Her grief gave me a gift of tears. I couldn’t help it. I
thought of my own children and grandchildren. I want to hold my family close
today.
Knowing my life is
fleeting causes me to pause. I take time to thank God for His daily mercy. The
gift of today, oh how sweet! Today I listened to leaves rustling in the trees. Today
I beheld the bright presence of the sun. The mountains around me look gorgeous
in their blankets of snow. They are living postcards. A gift of God’s beauty in
the cold of a winter day!
I don’t know the
number of my days. I do know that they are fleeting. I may be past my best
by date. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I have lived long enough to
know my life has a termination date. As God’s word says, “So teach us to number our days, That we
may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90: 12). My life here will one
day end.
I am mindful of the
beauty of each day. I didn’t always see this precious treasure. The wisdom of
listening to my teachers impresses on me to embrace today. Today is a gift and
I thank God for it!
