Counting and Contentment

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

Counting and Contentment

Some of you know I used to be an accountant – which is a job that dwells in the world of numbers. Both before and after working in that field, I have found numbers and counting to be one of the ways my brain wants to go. So this passage about counting our days has always fascinated me.

What is counting our days about? I used to think it was about making each day somehow important and valuable. Now, I think it means we want to pay attention to each day as we live it – one day at a time. It’s easy to focus on the big things, the joys and the sorrows of our lives. The challenge is to notice each day. Recently we explored the idea of recognizing the small joys during Creativity lab, which is connect.faith’s Wednesday night program. We thought through the day we’d been living, and considered those small things that made us smile. The good news was that there were lots of things that brought us a sense of contentment. Making the list helped me grasp a certain wisdom about living life day by day.

No matter the troubles or joys of any particular day, contentment comes in noticing that there are moments for which I’m thankful every day.

Reflection Questions:

1) What do you think it means to count our days?

2) Try making a list of the small moments of joy you had yesterday. Maybe it was watching kids on the playground on your walk to work. Or the smell of the lavender soap you picked up at the store. Or eating the sandwich you prepared just the way you like it.

3) It can be hard when there are big things happening to notice the small things. Try to notice them in your day to day. Maybe keep a list in your phone as they happen.

Prayer: Dear God, I do need you to teach me to count my days. I can see the wisdom in paying attention day by day. In Jesus Name, Amen