Teach Us to Number Our Days

     I am requesting the right to be a bit more sentimental than usual today (okay so I am 

downright maudlin). But I have good reason. Little One turns one today and Little Two is 

scheduled to make her appearance within the next three weeks. So I have been thinking all 

day about seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living and how I feel so 

remarkably blessed. My cup runneth over indeed.

     My friend Marty Goetz has a beautiful song on his latest album. I couldn't say it better if I tried. 

In every generation
Day out and day in, Your love, Your grace, 
Sustains every living thing
But like the grass, these creatures You’ve made 
We grow soon to wither and fade
Then You’ll say, “Return, O children of men.” 
So help us learn this lesson ‘til then…

Teach us to number our days 
That we may gain a heart of wisdom
Teach us to number our days
To be glad to rejoice in them 

O how we love this time this place 
But it’s not our destination
We struggle we strive to run this race 
With all of the strength we can bring 
Then in what is but the blink of an eye 
We finish our years like a sigh
So help us now, Lord show us how 
We can redeem days that pass like a dream

And teach us to number our days 
That we may gain a heart of wisdom
Teach us to number our days
To be glad to rejoice in them 
For a thousand years in your sight 
Is merely a watch in the night
So before they all fly away
Teach us to number our days

We’re given to pride so unsatisfied 
Still You provide such mercy
In light of our sin, how can we begin 
To thank You for placing Your beauty within

Teach us to number our days
That we may gain a heart of wisdom
Teach us to number our days
To be glad to rejoice in them
For a thousand years in your sight 
Is merely a watch in the night
So before they all fly away
Teach us to number our days

Yes, before we all fly away
Teach us to number our days

This is My Prayer for Little One on her First Birthday: 

Little One, I pray that you will one day look back on your life and say of the Lord, 

"There was never a time that I did not know your presence, 

your goodness, and your grace." 

I pray also that your inner beauty will always exceed your outer beauty and 

that you will grow in wisdom and knowledge and understanding of the Lord 

all of the days he has marked out for you. 

I pray as well that you will know very soon how great is the love 

the Heavenly Father has for you,  

and that you will trust Him more every day that passes.

I pray that whatever your circumstances you will know that the Lord

will never forsake you and that you are His, bought and paid for with a price.

Lastly, I pray that despite what the world teaches, Little One, you will find your

 true comfort, your security, your purpose, and your lasting peace in knowing 

the Mighty One who knit you together in your mother's womb. 

For indeed you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I earnestly pray and ask these things in the name of Jesus, my Savior. 

Amen.

                                                 All photos are courtesy of the Good Neighbor, Marjie Aldom Smith