Psalm 90:1-8, 12

“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” vs. 12

The psalmist, probably an older person, had learned from experience that life is both precious and fragile. The Lord, maker of the heavens and the earth, was in charge of the passing seasons and empires. From the beginning the rhythm of life had been in God’s hands, and there was nothing that anyone could do to prevent the passing of summer to winter. The grass sprouts, flourishes, and dries, all in the space of a year. And as it is with the grass of the field, so it is with human beings.

But rather than lament the reality, the psalmist believed that the path to wisdom lay through the counting of our days. Yes, we will lose our strength and vigor and we will lose track of our memories or forget where we have stored them. But there are blessings in ripening, and in our aging it will be possible for the fruit of the Spirit to reach full maturity.

As the wise-hearted ones of our faith communities we will learn to be who we are and be content with what life has given us. Even our generosity will surprise us as we learn to let go of the peripheral and embrace the essential. Of course our days are numbered. That’s just the way life is. But as we count down the years that still lie ahead, may our minds be filled with anticipation, and not some horrible dread!

Thought for the Day: How has counting my days been a blessing?