Life is brief.

We are told it is like a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.

A given day may seem to drag on and on and on. We wish for it end and long for the time to call it a day, which is slow in coming.

On other occasions, our days appear to be like a runaway locomotive speeding down the tracks totally out of control.

Sandwiched in between the two extremes are days which have a reasonable pace and allow us a chance to momentarily catch our breath.

These are the types of days I prefer.

Step up to my cash register. Can I ring you up for one or two of those days as well?

Whether the experiences of the day may appear to be slow, fast, or in-between at best all we have is a partial view.

We are told:

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”   1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

I once read a short story entitled, Did You Lose Your Horse Today, on Dan Miller’s fabulous website.

You can read the story here if you care to do so. [Hint: Check Dan out – it is worth a kick of his tires!]

The story is an example of how, despite our most well intentioned and well thought out perspectives, we only “see” part of the story.

So it is with our lives.

What we think we see is at best only a glimpse of the end game.

Time lends perspective, adding clarity and definition.

I am a bit reflective and nostalgic today as the little girl pictured in the mirror, our Bethany, celebrates a milestone birthday today.

As we lived with and raised our children we most certainly experienced a smattering of each type of day noted above.

Most assuredly, we only “saw” part of the story in our journey as parents and in the respective journeys of Bethany and her sisters.

During the course of a lifetime those days once measured in hours, minutes, and seconds have elapsed with the snap of a finger!

In the blink of an eye, thirty years have passed since we welcomed Bethany into our family, not to mention her sisters who came before her and after her.

Like me, you too may be asking similar questions:

• “Where has the time gone?” 
• “Where has the time gone in raising my family?”
• “Where has the time gone in my own life?”
• You fill in the blank.

The encouragement I would like to leave you this day is this.

In fact, it is my one line prayer for you and for me.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom – Psalms 90:12 (NIV)

Enjoy each day for what it may bring, be the pace slow, fast, or in-between.

At best, you are only getting a glimpse of an unfolding story.

One day we will know everything completely, just as God now knows us completely.

Pardon me for a minute as I step back one more time to reminisce about my charming little gal transformed into a beautiful woman (and soon to be a Mommy for the second time).

Bethany – You have given us more joys than we can ever count. You are a precious jewel contained within the armoire called our lives.

You have blessed our days with laughter, love, and many hugs.

On this day as you celebrate your thirtieth birthday, please know we hold you deeply in our hearts. 

We thank God for lending you to us and for the honor of being your parents.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

With all our love….Mom and Dad