Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Priorities, Part 1

Saturday, my firstborn turned nine years old. I declare, I do not know where the time has gone, because I remember the early days and years with her, feeling like she was at-home and preschool age for EVER. And those years have been over for more than three years already.

Sunday, our pastor spoke about priorities. How our top priority has to be pursuing Jesus, and how we have to seize every moment for him: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" Psalm 90:12. His words resounded strongly in my heart, and I will post more about it soon.

After church, we drove home in a rainstorm.  I drove cautiously, remarking how unsafe the road felt.

Monday, I learned that another family from my church was involved in a terrible weather-related traffic accident after church, resulting in the death of their nine year old son. The injuries of the parents were so severe that they were not even told of the loss of their only child until Monday morning.

I know death reaches for us all sooner or later. I understand that disease and accidents and even more terrible things are part of the world around me. I do not know this family personally, although my daughter knew their son casually.

Yet. Regardless of my further connection, they are part of my church family. The news has shaken me and broken my heart.
  • We were in church together, listening to the same message about making every day count. 
  • We left church in the same rainstorm.
  • Their son was the same age as my daughter. 
  • And my family made it home.
Just as I marvel at the gift of three healthy pregnancies, today I marvel at the gift of a safe ride home from church on a rainy Sunday.

I do not understand how God's heart does not break at the pain these parents will experience today and onward. Perhaps it does. But I cast myself on God's grace, that he is sufficient for even this circumstance.

I stake my hope on the bigger story, in which this little boy's death was not an end, but a crossing into eternity.

Lord, teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom. Be with this family as they begin to make sense of their lives today. Show me how to make every day count for you, because none of us knows how much time we have to be an influence in this life.

2 comments:

  1. Oh, my!!! I am shaken just reading that. My heart goes out to that family, to you, to your church. Our life is certainly not guaranteed. Thank you for the reminder to "number my days".

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  2. Definitely will be thinking of and praying for this family!

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