What Timothy Green reminded me...

Parents will drive you crazy with the things they say over and over again, won't they? At first they're always harping on you to brush your teeth, clean your room, change your underwear...how overbearing! As you get older it becomes "Buckle up and drive safely!" "Cherish this time it won't last." Then you move away from home, thinking you're free. Nope. "You need to start planning for retirement!" "Don't buy new...you can save a ton going used!" Then, when our first child was born it became "He'll grow up so fast! Hang on and enjoy every moment." People say that all the time. Honestly, it always annoyed me. As it would turn out, they say it because they learned something a long time ago and Timothy Green reminded me of it tonight. I need to confess up front, this blog post is for me, rather to me. If it resonates with you, great, but it's more what I need to hear. 

Since the kids are off for Thanksgiving break, we stayed up late last night and had a movie night. The selection, The Odd Life of Timothy Green - a Disney film. Cute movie. The entire family enjoyed it. Without spoiling the plot, I'll give you the gist. This child is dropped into the lives of this couple. They immediately fall in love with him. Everything is great, except he has leaves growing on his legs. Leaves sort of represent the passage of time and life experiences. The family begins to take Timothy's existence for granted, not realizing that he won't be around for long. 

It isn't an overly sappy film, but it reminded me of how precious each moment is in life. Not every one of them will be happy or full of giggles. There will be plenty of moments filled with frustration, disappointment, tattling, crying, and hurt. Regardless of the circumstance, each moment is precious because we are on a journey together, not knowing where it will lead but knowing that each moment together is a point along the path. 

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end

and the number of my days;

let me know how fleeting my life is.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;

the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath,

even those who seem secure." - Psalm 39:4-5, NIV

I know, I know, it's depressing. The fact that it's depressing doesn't change the reality of it. Sometimes we need to hear it. On average, you have 936 weeks from the birth of a child until their high school graduation. Lord willing, I have 595 weeks left with my son. 699 with my daughter. I know for some of you, you winced and are thinking that I shouldn't think like that. What I am discovering is that if I don't live with a constant awareness of this temporary life and my temporary time here, I might inadvertently waste my life. I might miss out on the influence I could have on those around me, specifically those closest to me. I might also miss out on the lessons I need to learn from them. 

I may only be a breath, but I want my breath to count. I want my breath to bring out the best in those in my care. I dare you to pray this Psalm - "Lord, show me the number of my days. Remind me of the temporariness of my life. Remind me that I am but a breath, that I am barely a blip in light of eternity. Lord, use me to make my blip, my breath honor you."

Time is fleeting. Many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow and you're already doubling up your blood pressure medicine because of that crazy Aunt that you can't stand, because of the constant nagging, comparison games, and the noise. Moses said it this way:

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  - Psalm 90:12, NIV

It's that last part that we miss out on. We don't number our days to be depressed. We don't number our days so that we will slow down and take time to ooh and awww about our kids and grandkids. We live in a constant awareness of the frailty of life that we may gain a heart of wisdom. So, slow down, don't get worked up when things don't go how you want when you want, remember - he's 6, she's 4, and she's 9. Don't let people get to you. You're merely a breath...don't waste it on the unimportant and irrelevant. Use your breath for influence. Use your breath to build the Kingdom of God. Use your breath to change the world. You are a breath in progress. May you discover a heart of wisdom as you breathe. 

Oh! I forgot you were still here. I hope I wasn't rambling. Thanks for reading.  Happy Thanksgiving.