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Like a Breath
Friday, June 12, 2026 by Rick Stockwell
Like a Breath
READ Psalm 144:1-4
They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
-- Psalm 144:4 (NIV)
Evangelist Billy Graham tells the story of a woman who was going house to house, inviting residents to an upcoming crusade at their local stadium. A man she spoke with said he wasn’t interested in religion and had at least twenty more years to live. After visiting other houses in the neighborhood, she returned the way she had come and noticed an ambulance at the house of the man she had spoken with earlier. She later learned that he had died of a heart attack. None of us know when our time is up. It could be twenty minutes from now or twenty years from now. Only God knows (Psalm 139:16).
When I was young, I couldn’t wait until classes were over so I could go out to play; I couldn’t wait until it was summer; I couldn’t wait until the next holiday; I couldn’t wait until graduation; I couldn’t wait until my military service was ended; I couldn’t wait until my wedding day; I couldn’t wait until we had children; I couldn’t wait until the kids slept through the night; I couldn’t wait until they were potty-trained; I couldn’t wait until the last college tuition payment was made … the list goes on and on. Now that I’m older, I look back and everything seems to have gone by so quickly. In the light of eternity, our lives on earth will seem like a breath.
The old grandfather clock at the library where I often write gongs on the hour and half hour. Time marches on and waits for no one. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Teach us to number our days.
Prayer: Father in heaven, please help us to manage our time wisely.
Prayer Focus: PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Rick Stockwell
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
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