Skip to main content

How Will We Count Our Days?

Share This Devotional

“Where did time go? It seems as if my grandchildren started school yesterday, and now in the blink of an eye, they are in high school.”

Over a long-distance phone call, Jane and I reminisced about her grandsons’ toddler days in childcare while we attended Bible study. “They’ve grown up too fast. Lucas is a junior camp counselor and Shawn has a summer job now. Before we know it, they’ll be off to college.”

Our conversation moved to a friend’s retirement. “They may spend half a year in Florida,” she said. “They don’t have definite plans.”

“I’m sad to see people move,” I responded. “My neighbors, who have joined us for backyard picnics for 10 years, moved to another state last week to accept a new job. Ten years of local friendship wasn’t enough.” Our conversation drifted to other news, but life changes and time passing stayed on my mind.

Last summer, our family reunion ended when we felt as if it just started. One afternoon, as I turned pages in scrapbooks and photo albums, I noted some friends and family have gone to heaven. My children’s playmates have grown up and I get birth announcements of their children in the mail. And yes, a few adults have involuntarily changed hair color. We flip our calendar pages and wonder how the months and years have passed so quickly.

Time, and changes that accompany it, are inevitable. The high school graduate makes a career or college decision, a person wonders how to use retirement years, another considers relocation in response to a job offer, and the baby we held in our arms is a young woman about to marry. In life seasons, as (NIV) reminds us,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

What do we do about our time? The Psalmist reminds us to pray to measure our time, not in hours or via a calendar, but according to wisdom.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV)

Our days will pass, and we move from one life stage to the next. Time is a gift. Will we use our days wisely?

In life choices let’s look for direction from God’s Word, pray for insight, seek wise counsel from godly friends, and wait to make thoughtful, not impulsive decisions. How will we most honor God as we seek to number our days and seasons with wisdom? 

Copyright © 2018 Marilyn Nutter, used with permission.

Share This Devotional

About The Author

Marilyn
Nutter

Bio Marilyn Nutter is a contributor to compilations, online sites, and print publications. Her book Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart, written with April White, was released on September 28, 2021. She is a facilitator for grief groups, a speaker, and Bible study leader. In her life’s seasons, she clings to . For hopeful living in ordinary and challenging days, visit her site and blog at MarilynNutter.com.

How can CBN pray for you today?

We would love to pray for you or someone you care for. Please feel free to fill out the Prayer Request form.