The Clock is Ticking
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered - - how fleeting my life is.”
Psalm 39:4 (NLT)
Author Update: This devotional thought was originally
written 2 years ago. Now that time has
marched a bit, my updated thoughts are in italics.
=================================================================
Most of us are slaves to the
calendar. We count down the shopping days to Christmas, the days to a vacation,
or a birthday.
Recently, I was discussing with a
friend how time was flying with our high-school sophomores. The comment was
made that we have three years left with them at home…which turns into just over
1,000 days. (These kids are now SENIORS – yikes!)
1,000 days doesn’t seem like much
time to influence and mentor your child into young adulthood.
So I started thinking…here is the
countdown to some of my upcoming milestones…
170 days until my grandmother’s 90th
birthday celebration and family reunion
205 days until our daughter’s graduation
282 days until she leaves for
college
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to
number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV) I wonder if we all
sat down and actually did that…numbered
our days. I wonder how we could use that to influence others. Would we
waste less time? Would we spend more time with things that matter? When we
realize our time is limited, how would we change the way we spent our time with
our loved ones, with getting to know our neighbors and co-workers, or volunteering
in our churches and community?
As predicted, the1000 days are
rushing through my world. In the last 2
years, the growth and challenges came quickly…some expected (learning to
drive!), some not (remember high school?). One thing I have learned: there is a
power in being aware and intentional in spending our limited time wisely. Don’t
waste it.
GOING
DEEPER:
- Figure out the number of days to some of your
milestones (hint: Google “countdown timer” for a help with this).
- How can you resolve to be deliberate in
impacting others?
FURTHER
READING:
