Counting

“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” Psalm 90:12

Today is Day 239 at the Dispatch. It also happens to be Day 16,489 of my life (I think it did the math correctly, accounting for Leap Years). Thinking about this gives me pause and makes me ponder. What a great many different types of days I’ve had, filled with joy and sorrow, struggle and success, and the quotidian, too.

The psalmist urges such reflecting. In Psalm 90, which is the psalm appointed for this coming Sunday, we hear that counting our days helps us gain wise hearts. This doesn’t simply mean paying attention to the number. It means receiving each day as a gift, making each day count. It means living in the present and not letting worry about the future overwhelm us. It means trusting in Christ, who gifts us with life.

There’s a lot of talk about counting these days. And recounting. And what should count and who should count. Well, today I’m going to let today be enough for today. This is the day that the Lord has made.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God, thank you for the gift of today. Before I see it as a list of tasks to be done or burdens to bear, let me claim it as a gift. Freed and forgiven for Jesus’ sake, let your Spirit lead to me to make today count. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: Me, one day older than I was yesterday, but still younger than I’ll be tomorrow.