Well, that title might not sound very comforting to some.  And it might sound extremely comforting to others.  Or maybe you find yourself in the middle–some days the trials of life seem very hard, but on others you find contentment in the here and now.  I think a little looking forward to be a great comfort.  Although, years ago when I heard that my days were numbered, I felt that to be a threat.  I wasn’t ready to cast off this life for the next.  “I have things to do,”  I said shaking my fist bravely at the unknown.  Lately though…

I’ve had a rough year of illness.  When I say ‘year’, remember, I’m a homeschooling mom, so my year starts in September.  I’ve had one cold after another bringing me low.  And last year it was a rough year of illness for my son.  Anyway, it’s hard to get stuff done with short bouts of good health breaking up the monotony of coughing and wheezing.  Mind you, keeping a good attitude about all this has been a challenge for me.  I mean, I’ve cleaned everything I can think of in the house that might be causing an allergy flare up and bringing my immune system low.  I’ve officially thrown up my hands in defeat and would run to buy shares in Kleenex and those little clear bottles of hand sanitizing gel if we had extra cash laying about.

Maybe it’s age (my dear friends keep reminding me I am forty), or suffering–or seeing my loved ones suffer from pain or illness, but the other day when I heard that statement, “our days are numbered”, instead of intimidation or fear, I felt great relief.  No other word for it than that.  The suffering of this broken sinful world will come to an end one day.  The day-to-day suffering of our loved ones, and ourselves are limited.  But after the initial comfort I felt, I heard a challenge.  We must use the days we have left–which are only known to the Lord our God–to His glory.  I don’t mean keeping my eyes so far forward locked on heaven that I miss the tasks tripping my feet (these include the day to day tasks of caring for the gifts given me in the form of my children and spouse).  Rather, I mean to realize I have but a little time left to complete the tasks He sets before me-both big and small.    So, the million dollar question is, am I working hard as to the Lord?  Or are am I distracted by the temporary things of this world?

Psalm 39: 4  Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.

Colossians 3:24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.