How Much Longer?

We had gone on an overnight camping trip to spend some special time with our two youngest grandchildren, Madison and Mason, and their mom and dad, Kristie and Pruitt, our son.  We spent the first evening all together going out to eat, sitting outside enjoying the lake, sounds of nature, and each other.

 The next morning, we took our leisure eating breakfast and enjoying each other.  As the morning progressed, we started getting ready for the day.  David and Pruitt went looking for firewood taking Mason along leaving us girls behind.  I was sitting at the dinette putting on my makeup talking to Madison while Kristie was taking a shower.  Madison was sitting across in the living area when suddenly she looked at me with a curious expression. “How much longer do you have” she asked.  How can you have so many thoughts in a second of time?  My response was very careful and deliberate as I asked her in return, “What do you mean?”  As she looked upward, she replied, “You know”. 

 We spoke on this in question and answer response to her satisfaction, but I have been responding to that question ever since in my own thoughts.  I know that too often I don’t view the truth that time for me here will end someday, not yet known.  On occasion, when I become aware that tomorrow may not be mine, I want more than anything to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me.  I have to question, “Father, have I let you down not fulfilling your plan for my life?”  I am reminded that I need to stay focused on the time at hand and how I am using it.

Reflect:  Wasted days, hours, minutes turn into wasted years.  Oh, how foolish!  God, help me every morning to seek your face afresh and anew, to feel your presence, and to live for you.  Help me know that every moment is an opportunity to make the right decisions, changing direction if necessary, to follow you and fulfill the purpose you designed for my life.  Anything else is loss. 

James 4:14 - Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.