"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12 NKJV).

Yesterday, Nov. 23, was my 63rd birthday. I was born 11-23-45 in Seymour, Indiana. I became a Christian when I was 12. I preached my first sermon at 19 (I will celebrate the 44th anniversary of that sermon on Nov. 29). I was married at 21. Then came 30, 40, 50, and now here I am at 63. I say with Moses (the author of Psalm 90), "Teach me to number my names, that I may gain a heart of wisdom."

When I was young I loved the game of baseball. I still do for that matter. Perhaps this analogy will help us understand how ALL of us must ask God to teach us to number our days. A baseball diamond is laid out from home plate to first base, first to second, second to third, and from third base back to home plate. Got the picture? Good. Life started out for me at home plate. By the time I was 20, I had reached first base. At 40 I was perched on second. 60 found me on third base. Now I am 63 and edging off third. "Dear Lord," I sometimes think, "Don't let me die on third." Worse yet, "Don't let me get picked off third." Better yet, "Bring me safely home." This doesn't mean that when I am 80, if God gives me those years, that I will be dead. Every analogy has a flaw in it somewhere. My father is 93, so he has already crossed home plate. You could say he is now a coach sitting in the dugout. Or you could say he is heading to first all over again. Whatever. Some of my friends I went to college with never got to third base. They died in their mid-50s, out at shortstop. Some died in their 20s, just leading off first, due to a car accident or fatal disease. Some never even made it to first base. Where are you today on the Diamond of Life? I pray that the Great Umpire of Life will cry "Safe at home!" whenever we cross the plate.

Prayer: Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!