Counting Our Days Aright

by Ellen Hogarty

So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12

Some years ago, I was helping keep vigil at the bedside of a friend who was slowly dying after a long illness. She had slipped into a coma, and the time was drawing near for her to cross over to the other side.

As I sat by her bed, holding her hand and watching her slow breathing, I spoke with her husband and son. We recounted stories of her life—how full of joy she always was, how vivacious and friendly she was. She loved the Lord, and she loved people. “She had a smile for everyone,” her husband told me repeatedly. And indeed, she brought good cheer and sunshine into any room she entered.

Praying with my friend as she lay dying.

All that was silenced and shadowed now as she labored on this final lap of her journey. I told her, “You have run a good race. The finish line is in sight. You're almost there.” She died a few hours later.

I have been at the bedside of four people as they died, and it always causes me to reflect more on my own life. How am I running the race? What do I spend my time on? What worries and concerns fill my heart? Are my priorities what they should be?

Psalm 90:12 repeatedly comes to my mind. One translation says, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” Another says, “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.”

Wisdom of heart entails knowing that all we have is this present moment to live and that life is short. We don't have unlimited time on this earth, and we don't have unlimited “do-overs.” One of these days, the Lord's whistle will blow, and my time on this playing field will be over. Have I spent that time well?

Help us, Lord, to live well, to be lavish in loving people, and to one day be united with You forever. Amen.