Little Zachary lived only 9 months, including several hours after his birth. His parents learned in the early part of mom's pregnancy that he had a neural tube defect, resulting in an insufficiently formed skull and brain. Doctors assured his parents that he would not survive long after birth (if he even survived birth). Yet his parents chose to honor and obey God, carrying Zachary to full term despite much pressure and criticism. And even though God did not choose to show His power through a miraculous healing on this earth, He has filled Zachary's mom and dad with a "peace that passes all understanding" in their grief, and they can rejoice in the blessing of the time they were able to spend with him.

Paul lived about 50 years. Seven years ago he suffered severe headaches, leading doctors to discover a tumor in his sinus cavity. Surgery removed the tumor, and he lived cancer-free for a time, but it eventually returned and took his life last month. During his last years, he left his position in men's ministry at a local church and established a ministry counseling missionaries serving God overseas. He encouraged men to enter ministry and helped others to remain in their calling, building up the Lord's work in places that otherwise might not have been reached yet. He raised two children to adulthood and loved his wife faithfully until his last days.

Sarah will celebrate her 98th birthday next month. She has spent her last years in a nursing home, having survived a serious blood infection, congestive heart failure and mini-strokes. She has also outlived her husband (who died 30 years ago) and most of her memories. Her family loves her and is happy to still have her here, but they wonder when the Lord will take her to his perfect Heaven.

Sarah is my grandmother. Paul served alongside my husband as a church elder for a time. Zachary's mother is a member of my homeschool support group.

I sometimes wonder what the Lord has for me. Perhaps the next time I get in my car will be the last - or maybe my family will one day be considering how to celebrate my 100th birthday. No matter how many days I have to spend here on earth, they will surely feel like too few. Everyone leaves this earth with un-checked items on their To Do list. And still, I want to live each day with purpose, loving others around me and not caught up in things that don't matter so much. I want to live wisely. So I choose to suffer the discipline of exercise so that I can remain healthy and strong if I live as long as my grandmother. At the same time, I choose to take hold of what God asks of me each day, never knowing if another day on earth will follow. And I try to "put my hope fully in the grace that is to be given to me when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13) rather than setting my hopes on short-term goals.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ps. 90:12