"If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes, and the light which experience gives is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the waves behind us." ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

At the time of this writing, I’m reflecting on the 2 year anniversary of my husband’s death. We struggled with his brain tumor for 3 ½ years before a surgery complication put him into a coma. We passed away here in the early hours right next to me, in our home.

While the grief doesn’t overwhelm me, sink me, as it once did, I find my urgency for the eternal to be so much more acute these days. I feel the tension distinctly, the one where we, along with the rest of creation, groan to be in right standing with the Lord, and yet here we are, waiting in a broken world.

But can time be a gift, given to us by the Lord? As those of faith, we are called to rightly handle and make the most of this gift, recognizing the significance of numbering our days (Psalm 90:12). Time holds a deep spiritual dimension, reminding us of our purpose, our eternal hope, and the responsibility to steward each moment in alignment with His perfect will.

As we wait to be made new again, wait to be ‘ancient in our youth again,’ time can encourage our faith and fortify our relationship with the Creator of all things.

Time as a Reflection of God's Sovereignty:

The Scripture tells us the Lord is the author of time. He created the heavens and the earth and set in motion the cycles and seasons that govern our lives. There is indeed a season for all things under heaven. Time isn’t a random shift of experiences; with eyes of hope on things above, we can see it as a divine construct through which we can experience the unfolding of His work and plan. We can then rest in Him, and ultimately appreciate the sacredness of each passing moment and approach it with reverence and gratitude.

Utilizing Time for God's Purposes:

Our souls are eternal. Numbering our days serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance in utilizing our time for His purposes. We are called to love and serve others, to share the good news of salvation, to grow in our faith as we run the race with perseverance. Time becomes this generous opportunity to fulfill a divine calling, aligning our actions and decisions with the will of God. Today is the day we can love well for the eternal.

Embracing the Temporal Nature of Life:

Nothing can punctuate to me more the temporal nature of life on Earth than watching my healthy, vibrant husband be whittled down to a broken, suffering man. We are but a vapor, the Bible tells us. “Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). This day is the day to prioritize the eternal over the temporal pursuits. As mothers, today is the day we help our children to cultivate strongholds of virtue, to resist the temptations of this world, and live in hope and mercy. Numbering our days prompts us to invest our time in choices that have lasting impact and push back against the darkness.

Confronting the Reality of Death:

I believe in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I will see my beautiful husband again, healed and made new. How I wish I had lived with numbered days at the forefront of my mind before my husband’s diagnosis. While I can’t go back, I can go forward–as can you. When we are mindful of our days, it serves to remind us of our mortality, calling us to an urge to live intentionally while preparing ourselves for eternity. It encourages us to seek reconciliation with God and with others, to forgive, and to embrace a life of righteousness.

Finding Rest and Sabbath:

In the midst of our busy lives, numbering our days allows us to recognize the need for rest and Sabbath. God Himself set aside a day of rest after His work of creation. By prioritizing rest and setting aside time for worship, prayer, and reflection, we honor God and replenish our souls. Sabbath reminds us that time is not meant to be consumed solely by work but also by rest and communion with God.

Reflecting on my husband’s life, numbering my days takes on a deeper significance. For you, I pray that it’s a prompting to view time as a precious gift entrusted to us by our Creator, urging us to use it with wisdom, for His purposes. By recognizing the temporal nature of life, the reality of the eternal,, we align our actions, prioritize Biblical values, deepen our faith. May we cherish each numbered day as an gift to grow in our communion with the Lord and bring glory to His name.