This week, I’ve got age on my mind. You see, in a few more days, I will reach another mile marker – it’s been another five years. I remember when I was 40. I felt terrific and looked terrific. I looked better at 40 than I did at 20 – no kidding! But when I was about 45, I felt that “looking good” feeling start to slip. Then a few years later the big “50” hit – I was still slipping – another wrinkle or two, another pound or two. Soon I will be, well, just add another “5” to it. Ok, so I cannot deny that age comes whether we want it to or not. And now that I acknowledge the age factor, I feel more like living for the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in being sensible, living responsibly, and somewhat preparing for the future, as best we can. And certainly I believe in being spiritually prepared for eternity. However, the older I get, the more I realize each day here on earth is a gift; and none of us are promised tomorrow. So perhaps we should wear that outfit tucked away in our closet for a special occasion, or perhaps we should break out that expensive bottle of perfume given to us a couple of years ago, or maybe we should take time to do that one thing we’ve been putting off for several years. If you get a second chance to take the trip of a lifetime, perhaps you should reconsider. Or perhaps you simply need to make the time to see your parents or children. Oh my, and how about all those little things we forget to do for others. Now is not the time to withhold praise, to forget to say thank you, or to put off those random acts of kindness. Ok – I’m preaching to myself.
Chances are, over the next couple of weeks, you will likely see me wearing some new threads, smelling good, and letting you in front of me in the grocery store line. And I am so glad I took the time to celebrate my mother’s birthday with her last Sunday.
Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Psalm 39:4-5
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