“Every day is garbage day!” my mother-in-law, Marian, exclaimed. We were talking about how quickly time passes. We might laugh at that statement, and I did, at the time, but she was right. Often we joke, especially those of us who are on the latter half of our life, and for me the latter quarter of my life, how quickly time passes.
We siblings–there are five of us–and our spouses meet weekly via zoom. It started when everything stopped in our world and we’ve continued it now for three years. Once a week, living in four different states, we meet.
The past several months, we’ve been sharing our life stories. Each person gets the “stage” and tells about their life. Sure, we know some things about the people in our family, but not all by any means. It’s been a worthwhile time.
The past two weeks, it was my hubby Jim’s turn to share. He’s had about fifty minutes of telling his story. His early childhood. His young adulthood. Now, he’s ready to tell about the years of his fifties, to the present. Next week, he should be able to wrap it up. He’ll have another thirty or so more minutes to complete his story.
Think about it. We can talk about our life that is in our case, seventy-some years in a little over an hour. Marian’s statement “Every day is garbage day” is really true.
Our days are measured out by God. We each have a number. That is comfort when someone we love dies, but it’s also a wake up call for us to measure our days.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be (Psalms 139: 15-16).
Oswald Chambers, a Scottish Bible teacher (1874-1917), says this:
Oswald Chambers, lived a relatively short life. He died at age 43.
I’m well past forty-three years old. I don’t know how many more “garbage days” I have, but I know I can trust in my Maker to keep me here on earth as long as is in His plan. I will say the best part of my day is when I meet God–Jesus. When I read His word. When I pray, individually, and with Jim.
What about you? Do you think about eternity? Do you wonder how long your life will last here on earth? I suggest you talk to God about your days and what you can do that might count in your life.
When I was mourning, I found this album of old hymns remixed to a more modern rendition. It was a huge comfort at the time. I hope you enjoy this song, about needing God.
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A lovely piece, Shirley.
Thank you sis.