Today, I am taking the opportunity to introduce you to my friend, Glenda DeVries, whose thoughts on social media resonated with me. I am certain her message will prompt you to reflect on the swift passing of our days.
I have known Glenda for almost 30 years. Glenda holds a Bachelor of Theology and has served in key ministry roles as a Care and Counselling Pastor. She has a heart to see hurting people connect intimately with God and experience the healing and freedom that Jesus came to give.
Our paths crossed during significant periods of deep personal crisis. Glenda taught Biblical studies, Care and Counselling courses, and Celebrate Recovery, all of which I took part in. I will never forget the times Glenda counselled and prayed with me. When Glenda prays, you feel the gentle presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
I will be forever grateful to have been able to support Glenda during a very traumatic time for her family when her husband was critically injured in an out-of-country accident while on a mission trip.
Glenda was recently widowed. Before her husband passed, she had been in a caregiving role for several years. She is a woman of great strength who delivered an impactful message at her husband’s funeral. Amid physical and emotional exhaustion and while grieving the loss of her life partner and best friend, Glenda relied on God’s strength. In her weakness, I saw God’s power at work as she delivered a redemptive message of hope.
Glenda has two adult children and two granddaughters. Time spent with family and friends, living in the country and staying close to God help her find contentment.
Glenda has been a friend, a mentor, a confidante, and a role model. She guided me towards a place of quiet contentment with my Saviour. What she shared below will help us all reflect on how we are to number our days, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Welcome to my page of ponderings, Glenda. With your permission, it is a blessing to share your thoughts below:
Life is short. Even if you live to be one hundred, it is nothing compared to eternity. When my kids were toddlers, someone said: “Enjoy them while they are young, because they grow so fast.” At the time, I did not grasp the truth of that statement, but I do now with adult children and grandchildren. Where did the time go?
The Bible says, “life is a vapour,” like mist or fog that quickly vanishes. We do not usually think life is short. We are so focused on our responsibilities, relationships, activities, achievements, goals, and problems that we live as if life will keep going. But it will not. At some point, it will end.
“Teach us to number our days” is a prayer – not asking for help to number our days, but rather, to teach us that life is short. We forget. I do. I can waste time worrying about things I cannot change or stress over things that are not really that important. I can spend too much time on temporal things that won’t matter at the end of my life.
Lately, I have been aware of the time I spend scrolling (mindlessly, I might add) or researching a topic on the internet that leads to something else, and so on. Or we spend time on things such as watching TV, scrolling social media, shopping, hobbies, or habits of any kind. These things are not necessarily all bad, but they can be huge distractions and can control my time if I am not careful. When we recognize that life is short, we live differently. We become motivated to make the best use of our time, which is the heart of wisdom this verse talks about.
Life is short. I have no idea how long I will live, but I do not want to waste the time I have. I do not want to be so distracted by temporal things that I don’t live considering eternity. Living with a heart of wisdom requires intention, purpose, and making the most of every opportunity, not perfectly but willingly.
For me, this involves staying close to God, listening to His voice, and following His lead. Although I have free will and can do what I want, not everything is good for me. God’s ways are higher than mine. Living with a heart of wisdom involves discipline, obedience, and doing what is right rather than procrastinating. Living with a heart of wisdom means loving and caring for others rather than focusing on myself.
I have been reflecting on this verse for several weeks now. I am working to rid myself of time wasters. This is a different season for me; my life has changed in multiple ways. I am trusting God for a heart of wisdom so I can live with purpose and not waste my short life.”
“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
- Glenda DeVries
Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.