So today is my birthday. On top of that I am now 60! 

I am still not sure how I got here so fast. I joke that in my mind I am still about 28. On the other hand, in my body . . . well, that is another story. Our Old Testament book of Job hints that our days are numbered: "A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." (Job 14:5, NIV) When you have birthdays as an adult that end in a zero, you wonder how far along you are. Some folks live to be more than a hundred and they get their pictures on the "Today" show, but not everyone. I am not sure I really want to live to be a hundred, but if I live to be ninety-nine, I may have other ideas.
 
As human beings we have the capacity to be aware of our lives and the limits of our existence. Some philosophers have suggested this is the cause of the "angst" we may feel in life. Maybe. But as we continue to look at the Psalms - the Songs That Can Save Your Life - I am reminded that God is present with us throughout our lives. Last Sunday we looked at Psalm 121, which ends with that great promise: "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 12:8, NIV) So whether our "going" is today or a hundred years from now, God is always watching over us. That's good news - whether or not it is your birthday!

Prayer for Today

Loving God, you gave each one of us life. You know all things -- including how long we will live on this earth. Help us to live one day, one hour, even one minute at a time. Help us to trust you so that we can face life without fear - even the fear of death. Thank you for watching over us. Amen.