Embracing Gratitude: Numbering Our Days Wisely

 

Summary

In our journey to cultivate gratitude, we reflect on the profound wisdom found in Psalm 90, where the psalmist implores God to "teach us to number our days." This request is not merely about counting time but about recognizing the finite nature of our lives and the preciousness of each moment. By understanding that our days are limited, we can gain a heart of wisdom, appreciating the beauty and significance of our experiences and relationships.

The exercise of numbering our days invites us to live with intentionality and gratitude. When we acknowledge that time is not infinite, we become more mindful of how we spend it. This awareness can transform our daily interactions and choices, encouraging us to fill our days with what is noble and meaningful. Whether it is cherishing a conversation, savoring a meal, or simply enjoying a moment of peace, each day offers unique opportunities for gratitude.

Reflecting on personal stories, like those of Billy Crystal and my own experiences with my father and daughter, underscores the importance of treasuring the time we have with loved ones. These moments, though fleeting, are filled with potential for joy and connection. By numbering our days, we learn to appreciate these experiences more deeply, understanding that they will not come again.

As we engage in this practice, we are encouraged to keep a gratitude journal, noting the events, relationships, or activities that are nearing their end. This exercise helps us to focus on the present, fostering a sense of appreciation for what we have now. It is a reminder that life is a series of seasons, each with its own gifts and challenges.

Ultimately, the prayer "teach us to number our days" is a call to live wisely and gratefully, recognizing that every day is a gift from God. As we embrace this mindset, we open our hearts to the wisdom and joy that come from living with gratitude.

Key Takeaways:

1. Finite Time, Infinite Value: Recognizing the limited nature of our days helps us appreciate the infinite value of each moment. By understanding that time is not unlimited, we are encouraged to live with intentionality and gratitude, making the most of every opportunity. [01:13]

2. Cherishing Relationships: Personal stories remind us of the importance of treasuring our relationships. Whether it's a Sunday with family or a simple game of tennis, these moments are precious and fleeting, urging us to appreciate them while we can. [03:52]

3. Living with Intentionality: When we focus on the end of a chapter in our lives, we are more likely to engage in meaningful activities. This awareness encourages us to spend our time wisely, filling our days with joy and connection. [02:10]

4. Gratitude in the Present: Keeping a gratitude journal helps us focus on the present, fostering appreciation for what we have now. By acknowledging the impermanence of life, we learn to value each experience and relationship more deeply. [09:22]

5. A Prayer for Wisdom: The prayer "teach us to number our days" is a call to live wisely and gratefully. It is a reminder that every day is a gift from God, and by embracing this mindset, we open our hearts to the wisdom and joy that come from living with gratitude. [10:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Psalm 90: A Call to Wisdom
- [01:13] - The Finite Nature of Time
- [01:56] - Research on Gratitude and Time
- [02:40] - Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays
- [03:26] - Cherishing Family Moments
- [04:21] - Lasting Memories with My Father
- [05:25] - The Last Round of Golf
- [06:06] - A Day with My Daughter
- [07:16] - Reflections on Prince Charming
- [08:07] - The Value of Limited Time
- [09:08] - Gratitude Journaling Exercise
- [10:07] - Embracing Life's Seasons
- [10:39] - A Prayer for Wisdom and Gratitude

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Cultivating Gratitude

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 90:1-2, 12

Observation Questions:
1. What does the psalmist mean by asking God to "teach us to number our days" in Psalm 90:12? How does this request relate to gaining a heart of wisdom?
2. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the impact of recognizing the finite nature of our days on our daily choices? [01:13]
3. What personal stories were shared in the sermon to illustrate the importance of cherishing relationships and moments? [03:26]
4. How does the practice of keeping a gratitude journal help us focus on the present, according to the sermon? [09:22]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How might understanding the finite nature of our days lead to a heart of wisdom, as suggested in Psalm 90:12? What does this wisdom look like in everyday life?
2. The sermon mentions personal stories, such as Billy Crystal's "700 Sundays." How do these stories help illustrate the concept of numbering our days? [03:52]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living with intentionality can transform our daily interactions and choices? [02:10]
4. How does the concept of life's impermanence, as discussed in the sermon, encourage a deeper appreciation for our experiences and relationships? [09:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent day. How did you spend your time, and what might you do differently if you were more aware of the finite nature of your days? [01:13]
2. Think of a relationship in your life that you may be taking for granted. What specific steps can you take this week to cherish and nurture that relationship? [03:26]
3. Consider starting a gratitude journal. What are three things you are grateful for today, and how can this practice help you focus on the present? [09:22]
4. Identify an activity or experience in your life that is nearing its end. How can you make the most of the remaining time you have with it? [10:07]
5. The sermon encourages living with intentionality. What is one meaningful activity you can prioritize this week to fill your days with joy and connection? [02:10]
6. Reflect on the prayer "teach us to number our days." How can this mindset influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [10:39]
7. How can you incorporate the wisdom and joy of living with gratitude into your daily routine, and what changes might you need to make to embrace this mindset fully? [10:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Value of Time
Recognizing the finite nature of our days helps us appreciate the infinite value of each moment. This understanding encourages us to live with intentionality and gratitude, making the most of every opportunity. When we acknowledge that time is not unlimited, we become more mindful of how we spend it. This awareness can transform our daily interactions and choices, encouraging us to fill our days with what is noble and meaningful. Whether it is cherishing a conversation, savoring a meal, or simply enjoying a moment of peace, each day offers unique opportunities for gratitude. [01:13]

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

Reflection: What is one specific way you can be more intentional with your time today, ensuring that you are living with gratitude and purpose?


Day 2: Treasuring Fleeting Relationships
Personal stories remind us of the importance of treasuring our relationships. Whether it's a Sunday with family or a simple game of tennis, these moments are precious and fleeting, urging us to appreciate them while we can. Reflecting on personal stories, like those of Billy Crystal and experiences with loved ones, underscores the importance of treasuring the time we have with loved ones. These moments, though fleeting, are filled with potential for joy and connection. By numbering our days, we learn to appreciate these experiences more deeply, understanding that they will not come again. [03:52]

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally spend time with this week to show them how much they mean to you?


Day 3: Intentional Living for Meaningful Impact
When we focus on the end of a chapter in our lives, we are more likely to engage in meaningful activities. This awareness encourages us to spend our time wisely, filling our days with joy and connection. By understanding that our days are limited, we can gain a heart of wisdom, appreciating the beauty and significance of our experiences and relationships. This exercise of numbering our days invites us to live with intentionality and gratitude. [02:10]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one activity or habit you can incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are living intentionally and making a meaningful impact?


Day 4: Present Gratitude through Journaling
Keeping a gratitude journal helps us focus on the present, fostering appreciation for what we have now. By acknowledging the impermanence of life, we learn to value each experience and relationship more deeply. This exercise helps us to focus on the present, fostering a sense of appreciation for what we have now. It is a reminder that life is a series of seasons, each with its own gifts and challenges. [09:22]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: What are three things you are grateful for today, and how can you express this gratitude in a tangible way?


Day 5: A Prayer for Wisdom and Gratitude
The prayer "teach us to number our days" is a call to live wisely and gratefully. It is a reminder that every day is a gift from God, and by embracing this mindset, we open our hearts to the wisdom and joy that come from living with gratitude. As we engage in this practice, we are encouraged to keep a gratitude journal, noting the events, relationships, or activities that are nearing their end. [10:39]

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a daily prayer for wisdom and gratitude into your routine, and what difference do you think it will make in your life?

Quotes

"Teach us to number our days so that we might gain a Heart full of wisdom, and as we learn to be grateful the exercise today is going to be precisely that to number our days. What do we do when we number our days? Well, when you number something, you recognize that there is not an unlimited quantity to it, that you have a finite Supply, and that's true above all other things with time. We just have this one life and one day comes and this day right here will not come again." [00:50:42]

"It could be filled with what is noble and glorious. It could be filled with difficulty or suffering. You could fill it with gratitude for each breath, for every conversation, for every gift, or with ingratitude or complaint, but it will never come back again. And so we need to learn to number our days so that we gain a heart of wisdom." [00:88:02]

"Jamie Kurtz is a researcher at James Madison University. Fascinating study found that when college students were asked to reflect on the end of their college experience, if they were to focus on the fact that it's going to be limited, that the end will come relatively soon, not only did they experience more gratitude for this time because they recognized the worth and the goodness of it, they actually spent their time more wisely." [00:108:54]

"There was a book and then a one-man stage play that I saw Years Ago by the actor Billy Crystal, and it was called 700 Sundays. Teach us to number our days. This is what he writes. This is how he ends the beginning of the book. He's talking about his father. My father worked so hard for us all the time. He held on two jobs, including weekend nights. The only day we really had with him alone was Sunday." [00:146:04]

"I played tennis with my dad for 50 years. We played in tournaments from New York to California. He came to visit one time in Menlo Park, and I was going to go into work. It was a Saturday afternoon, and he'd gone just to hit serves, kind of practice some of his shots at tennis courts at a school nearby. Of course, they don't even exist anymore." [00:258:48]

"Well, I got a little time before I need to go into work, so I'm just going to go there, and we'll hit some balls. And I hit balls with my dad as I had done for I don't know how many thousands of hours over so many decades. And not too long after that, he was playing one time, went back for an overhead and kind of lost his balance." [00:278:16]

"35 years ago or so, I was in Whittier one time, and we were staying with Nancy's Mom and Dad, Alan Verna, and I took Laura to see a movie. Interestingly, recently somebody asked at a dinner party where I was, what's your favorite Disney princess, and I had an immediate response: Snow White. And it's because of that day 35 years ago when I took our oldest daughter to see her very first movie." [00:366:78]

"Teach us to number our days. I think now, when I would do this exercise that we're gonna do right now, is you might think about something in your life that is limited, time-limited, to help you value it, to help you appreciate it because we're learning to be grateful because we have a problem seeing the value in the goodness of life." [00:481:62]

"A little baby comes, and I get to hold that little body, and you know the smell of a little baby. I don't know why it's such a sweet thing, and the feeling of that skin and that sense that you get when they fall asleep on your chest that it's like somehow they just trust you and they just abandon themselves to you." [00:505:56]

"So this is the invitation for you now, and if you're doing a gratitude Journal, you can get that out now or sometime later on today. If you're not, you can just do this in your mind right now for a few moments. This is from Robert Evans' book, Gratitude Works, where he talks about journaling when people believe that a positive life event is about to end." [00:543:30]

"Choose an activity, an event, an experience, or relationship that may be ending soon. Keep in mind that you only have a short amount of time left to spend on doing this thing or being with this person. Teach us to number our days. Maybe it's a job that you get to do or a class in which you get to learn or a team to which you get to contribute." [00:584:39]

"This chapter of your life will end soon. Try to select an experience in which you have maybe between one and three months remaining. Given how little time you have left, write about why you are so grateful, and as you do that, whisper this little prayer because we can't do this for ourselves. We can't, but God can. God, teach us to number our days." [00:619:14]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?