Miracle of the Moment

Recently, particularly since moving to Japan, I have had the opportunity to spend more time with my siblings; especially my sister, Grace. We have a wonderful time together! She's five years old, and we enjoy snuggling, talking, sharing a room, and memorizing Bible verses together. Recently, I have started teaching her letters, sounds, The Pledge of Allegiance, drama/ memorizing, Bible stories, more Bible verses, and other things. It has been so much fun! However, the other morning while we were whispering in my air-mattress bed, I realized something that I had thought of before but never really considered. There will be a day, in fact, one fast approaching, that Grace will no longer want me to tuck her into bed at night. The day is coming, all too soon, when I won't be able to teach her Bible stories every afternoon, or hold her hand while walking to the store, or walk into our bedroom to hear her laughing. Soon the day is coming when Titus won't be yelling in the next room or forgetting yet again what a particular letter is. Someday, even, Matthew will not want to have a slumber party in my room with candy and Adventures in Odyssey.

How do I pause this time machine called life? I think of God's sovereignty, and how it is by His mercy and grace alone that I am able to take another breath. He gives us our every breath, and with every breath events in our lives are changing. I said to my mom just yesterday, "Isn't it funny how life changes?" I was reflecting over our recent move, and how I would never have imagined it just over three months ago. How could things change so quickly?!? But the funny thing is, that, although I don't like to admit it, it is not just during the times of obvious change such as during a move, an illness, or a tragedy that things are changing. Life is changing every minute!

This is what I have been trying to learn the last few days. Every moment is a miracle. A memory. A gift. I am reminded of the words of someone very wise who once said, "The past is history, the future is a mystery, but right now is a gift. That's why they call it the present." And most of all, the words of David in Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

This moment is a miracle. A gift. A remarkable present. Each day is numbered. Those things are all factual, unable to be changed, and out of my control. But I can be in control of something. Will I have a heart of wisdom?