{"id":141,"date":"2016-07-13T01:27:07","date_gmt":"2016-07-13T06:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tjdaughertyblog.wordpress.com\/?p=141"},"modified":"2016-07-13T01:27:07","modified_gmt":"2016-07-13T06:27:07","slug":"numbering-our-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/numbering-our-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Numbering Our Days"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cO LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Psalm 90:12<\/p>\n

NUMBERING OUR DAYS<\/p>\n

It was the middle of April, and my wife and I were on our way from Texas to Virginia for her to graduate from Physical Therapy school. We were making a pit stop in Kentucky along the way to help break up the trip and to visit my family for a couple of days.<\/p>\n

A few hours into our journey, my phone rang. It was my mother, no doubt checking to see how much longer she would have to wait to see her firstborn son and her favorite daughter-in-law.<\/p>\n

But this phone call was different. The tone in my mother\u2019s voice immediately alerted me that this was not about our present location or our ETA. It was something much more serious than that.<\/p>\n

My mother was calling to let me know that our family would never be the same. She was calling to remind me of the brevity of life. She was calling to inform me that something was wrong with her father, my grandfather, and that they were heading to the ER immediately. By the time my wife and I arrived in Kentucky later that evening, the diagnosis had been determined. My grandfather had brain cancer.<\/p>\n

In the months that followed, I visited with him every chance I could. Despite living 12 hours away, I was able to spend a considerable amount of quality time with him during a few short stints in Kentucky. Each time I said goodbye, I told him to keep fighting so that I could see him the next time I stopped in. And each time, he promised me that he would do just that, and that he would see me soon.<\/p>\n

Each time I left, I expected to get to see him again. He had a successful surgery to remove the tumor in his brain. His chemo and radiation treatments were going well. He continued to fight and seemed to be progressing his way up the mountain that is the recovery during the fight against cancer.<\/p>\n

Until one day, my phone rang. And the reminder of the brevity of life was one that I knew all too well. My grandfather had taken a turn for the worst. And suddenly, he was days away from taking his last breath.<\/p>\n

As my grandfather\u2019s life came to an end, memories of my time with him flooded my thoughts. I remembered the meaningful events, the good times, and all the funny stories that I could tell about him.<\/p>\n

But as often as I thought about these memories, I couldn\u2019t shake the weight of how quickly life can be taken away. I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about how we so frequently take for granted the moments, the days, the years of life that we are given.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t shake the thought that everyone will go to sleep tonight fully expecting to wake up in the morning.<\/p>\n

But that’s not a guarantee. Next year isn\u2019t promised. Tomorrow isn\u2019t promised. Our next breath isn\u2019t promised. In fact, none of them are even deserved.<\/p>\n

Every year that we live, every day that we wake up, every breath that we take \u2013 they\u2019re all a product of grace.<\/p>\n

My grandfather was 75 years old. He was not a young man. But in a moment, it was all taken away. Even at his age, no one could have predicted how quickly his life would deteriorate.<\/p>\n

Scripture reminds us repeatedly that our life is but a moment in time. Our days on earth are extremely short (Psalm 89:47), and are compared to a shadow (1 Chronicles 29:15, Job 8:9), a wind that passes by (Psalm 78:39), grass that is here today and gone tomorrow (Job 14:2, Psalm 103:15), a mist that appears for a little while (James 4:14), and a mere breath (Psalm 39:5).<\/p>\n

Death reminds us of our finitude. All of us will die. All of our lives will eventually come to an end.<\/p>\n

Our lives are only a mist. We are here today and gone tomorrow.<\/p>\n

And as devastating and terrible as death is, it serves as a reminder for us to number our days. To not take life for granted. To recognize that it is only by the grace of God that we woke up this morning.<\/p>\n

Because it could all be taken away in an instant.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Next year isn\u2019t promised. Tomorrow isn\u2019t promised. Our next breath isn\u2019t promised. In fact, none of them are even deserved. Every year that we live, every day that we wake up, every breath that we take \u2013 they\u2019re all a product of grace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":673,"featured_media":140,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-141","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-practical","8":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2016\/07\/pepaw.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":807,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/my-first-week-as-a-pastor\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":0},"title":"My First Week as a Pastor","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"March 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"My call to pastoral ministry was clear. No doubt about it, God had been preparing me and calling me to shepherd the flock. To preach the Word. I had yielded to the call nearly a decade ago and been preparing for the task my entire life. In God\u2019s providence, I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cultural"","block_context":{"text":"Cultural","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/cultural\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/03\/636483200290803894-FPC-Sanctuary-Pews-2-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/03\/636483200290803894-FPC-Sanctuary-Pews-2-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/03\/636483200290803894-FPC-Sanctuary-Pews-2-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":819,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/when-the-world-goes-crazy\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":1},"title":"When The World Goes Crazy","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"June 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A few months ago, seemingly out of nowhere, the entire world stopped when the pandemic of COVID-19 exploded in countries all over the earth. The first few days were bizarre. Driving down the street and seeing no one out, not being able to go to a restaurant or to church\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cultural"","block_context":{"text":"Cultural","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/cultural\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/06\/Globe-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/06\/Globe-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/06\/Globe-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/06\/Globe-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/06\/Globe-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":854,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/should-you-use-a-hard-copy-of-the-bible-for-corporate-worship\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":2},"title":"Should You Use a Hard Copy of the Bible for Corporate Worship?","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"September 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the most noticeable developments within the church in recent days shows up at the beginning of each sermon I preach when I invite the congregation to turn with me to a particular passage of Scripture. At that moment, a growing number of congregants reach into their pockets to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Practical"","block_context":{"text":"Practical","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/practical\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/Bible.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":287,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/unwavering\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":3},"title":"Unwavering","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"November 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Halfway across the world in West Africa, there is a small village of a few hundred people by the name of Kadazaki. It is several miles away from the next closest village. There is no electricity. There is no running water. There is just scorching heat and long, hard days\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Practical"","block_context":{"text":"Practical","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/practical\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2017\/11\/tree-696839_960_720.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2017\/11\/tree-696839_960_720.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2017\/11\/tree-696839_960_720.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2017\/11\/tree-696839_960_720.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":797,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/kanye-proclaims-the-truth-jesus-is-king\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":4},"title":"Kanye Proclaims the Truth \u2013\u00a0Jesus is King","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"October 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"JESUS IS KING Kanye West has been a symbol of the sin culture of 21st century America. His name is often associated with the vain idols of our day, including money, sex, drugs, fashion, and a relentless pursuit of fame. His entire career has been built on music which has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cultural"","block_context":{"text":"Cultural","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/cultural\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/10\/Kanye-2.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":331,"url":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/new-life-new-york-a-new-perspective\/","url_meta":{"origin":141,"position":5},"title":"New Life, New York, & A New Perspective","author":"TJ Daugherty","date":"February 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"One morning, my life changed forever. And I knew it would never be the same again.","rel":"","context":"In "Marriage \/ Relationships"","block_context":{"text":"Marriage \/ Relationships","link":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/category\/marriage-relationships\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2019\/02\/ultrasound-of-baby-body-in-mothers-womb_s0vw7kplg_thumbnail-full01.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/673"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/themajestysmen.com\/tjdaugherty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}