But a vapor

In the drizzly pre-dawn of January 16th, 37-year old Terri left home for her morning run.  She died when struck by a pick-up driven by a man on his way to work.  He never saw her.  A tragic accident.

Late in the evening of February 9th, Kevin went to work on his job as a cable repairman.  While hoisted high in the air to work on an elevated line, a drunk driver struck his truck and threw Kevin from his bucket.  He died from the fall.  Kevin was 38.  It was his son's birthday.

Last fall, Jim retired from a distinguished career in our nation's Air Force.  On Friday night February 12th, he went to bed but did not wake up on Saturday morning.  Jim was 49. 

Remember how short my time is;
For what futility have You created all the children of men?
What man can live and not see death?
Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?

~ Psalm 89

When we lived in Arizona, the locusts would shed their skins all over the side of our stucco home.  They looked substantial, but pinch them between your fingers and they disintegrated.  How fragile our lives.  How thin the veil between life and death.  We appear so strong, but in a moment...

He remembered that they were but flesh,
a wind that passes and comes not again.

~ Psalm 78

 
On March 13th, my second son will marry the love of his life. One month and four days later, my eldest son will tie the knot with his beloved.  I have not been promised to see the joy that will spread across their faces when they behold their brides bedecked in white, prepared specially for them.  Nor have they been promised to see that day.

For he knows our frame;

he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

~ Psalm 103

If you have not gone through such seasons, you will.  They cannot be escaped.  What will the seeding of such sorrow precipitate in our lives?  Will we reject our God?  Will we turn to sex or scotch?  Will we withdraw or lash out?  God himself, through a psalm penned by Moses, guides us in the dark night of our grief.

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom...
...Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

~ Psalm 90

Such have been my days of late.  Not complaining.  That's just the way it is.

I look forward to the morning.

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The ninetieth is a breathtaking Psalm to meditate upon if you happen to find yourself in such a season (here).

Photo by Tyler Pond