Did that just happen?

Short - how would you define it? Some might propose it means something is of little length or stature, while others may say something is about to pass very quickly. Have you ever read a 'short story'? It may have been a couple pages in a magazine, but if it actually made it to print as a book, it means the book is about half the size of a regular book! Short is a 'measurement' term and we go through life doing all manner of 'measurement'. There is a term used in woodworking that I like - measure twice, cut once. Heaven knows the times I have even managed to mess this one up! Measured twice and still cut wrong! How does that happen? Maybe because it was because of poor planning, or perhaps it was because I didn't listen and tried to take a short-cut that I really knew wouldn't work out very well in the end. We all do this at times - not paying close attention to the things in life we actually should 'measure'!

Teach us how short our lives are so that we can become wise. (Psalm 90:12 ERV)

When we ask God to teach us how short our lives really are, we aren't 'fatalistic' in our thinking - we are 'realistic'. We know we all have a limited amount of time on this earth to make the greatest impact our lives can possibly make. Yes, there is life after death - we all will experience eternity somewhere and I hope you have all chosen to experience it with me - in God's presence! Yet, our time here on this green earth is time-limited. We have to make the most of the opportunities we are given. My mom is 101 now and she shows signs of slowing down, but even in her old age, she still fulfills a significant purpose. She is 'GG' to her great-grandsons - lovingly asking how they are doing, what they are learning in school, worrying when they are ill. She is 'mom' to me - constantly concerned that my life go well, I get enjoyment from the things I do in life, and that my life will be blessed in all ways. She is 'Winnie' to her friends - sharing life's ups and downs in frequent phone conversations, laughing at their jokes, and just listening when they have something to share.

We all have a purpose - no matter what our age, talent, life-experience level. We have to put to use the things God has given us and then stand back to watch what he does with our faithfulness. Wisdom isn't learned by just listening - it is learned in the doing of life. We are taught by a variety of methods, some visual, others auditory, and still others by having our hands in the mix. I didn't learn to cook by watching TV programs or reading cookbooks. I have done both, but when I put my hands to the work of cooking, the dishes came forth! When we are engaged in the things God has designed for us to do, we find purpose and fulfillment. When we are 'looky-loos', standing on the outskirts of life, it passes us by and we get very little from the experiences we are exposed to. When we ask God to teach us how short our lives are we are really asking him to help us be alert to the moments. To not allow those moments to pass us by without us being involved in them. This is what makes for a full life - being engaged in the moments. Today will have many moments for you and I - don't let one of them pass by without getting into it! Just sayin!