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

“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”  Romans 14:8

I look at obituaries almost everyday.  Now and then I see names from my past and I want to remember them.  While I usually just read the list of names, sometimes I scan “the rest of the story”.  They tell how people lived, how they would want to be remembered, what was important to them – occupations, hobbies and past-times; characteristics – kind, loyal, fun loving; family, friends, sometimes pets. 

Sometimes obituaries mention how people died – unexpectedly, peacefully surrounded by …, too soon.  They don’t point out faults and disappointments.  Making mistakes and troubles are part of life and we belong to the Lord through those times too.  God is not God of only through our achievements and celebrations, but also God with us in the routine and mundane – scrubbing floors, chopping vegetables, our down days.  God is truly God of Earth’s grandeur, but also God of the wonders and marvels happening in my own backyard. 

We didn’t choose where we were born.  We can’t choose where, when, how we will die (though tragically, some do).  We can’t choose just what life will bring us each day … nice surprises or illness and loss.  We took our first, will take our last breath with God.  In between we make choices how we live each day, as one of the Lord’s; with wonder and healthy curiosity; with gratitude for blessings; with compassion and kindness for others; with courage and trust in God’s presence.

Lord of all, you bless our coming in and our going out (Psalm 121:8), and all our days between.  Guide our “between” days, living as one of yours.  Amen

Verla Olson

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party