“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut – when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
Another birthday week reminds me to remember my Creator, and that I desire that my days would not be spent in vain. I am reminded more and more of my age. I can’t do all the things I used to do, or desire to do, or even think that I should be able to do. The body and the mind fail at times. Such is the ebb and flow of life. And yet as I celebrate another year on this earth, I stop and reflect at how blessed I am.
My father’s birthday is one week before mine. In talking with him on the phone he mentioned that he does need anything for his birthday. He has a warm home and food and family and friends. I appreciate his reminder and I too echo those thoughts. Much of life can be focused on chasing after vain dreams instead of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.
After 52 years on earth I am still slowlylearning how to do that. I need to be reminded constantly of the most important things in life and I need the Word of God and the life affirming message that it brings.
Remember the simple joys of life this week: Family. Friends. Good food. Warm homes. A cup of coffee. Waves crashing on the ocean shore. Birds singing in the trees with the reminder that spring is just around the corner.
As I think of goals for my 53rdyear of life, I shall seek to follow the advice of the Preacher in Ecclesiastes:
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
Comments