Number Our Days Aright

Teach us to number our days aright
that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Psalm 90:12

We will find wisdom, the psalm says, if we count our days correctly.
I decided to follow the Psalm's advice.  This is a fitting time
to total up the days that I have been privileged to possess,
since this week I celebrate my birthday.

I did the math and discovered that, as of today, I have lived 27,277days.
Some of these are clearly etched in my memory
but most days have lost their individuality and are now remembered
only as time gone by. Counting my days has made me
much more appreciative of each new day as precious gift.
That is the wisdom, no doubt, which the psalmist promises.
I know the current number is far into the second half of life,
but I don't know the final count. However, Psalm 90 says
we are given 70 years of life and 80 if we are strong.
Wisdom advises me to fill each day with good works,
prayer and kindness and to place all the days of my life
in the hands of God who controls all time and eternity.

Thank you God, for all the days of life.

Fr. James McCarns