Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Facing Our Expiration Date

I nervously sat as still as possible and closed my eyes while the aging barber clipped around my ears. It was clear to me that he didn't see very well, and his hands were shaky. Then I heard, "Oops!"

I hadn't felt anything nick me, but he pulled away, his hand bleeding. His daughter raced up from the back room. "Oh, Papa, have you cut yourself again?" Again? I left them to tend to the wound, and despite their assurances of barbering safety, I skipped out the door, saying I would arrange my haircut another day. (Elsewhere!)

Admittedly, I had to sympathize with that long-ago barber when I cut myself shaving today. It wasn't a nick; it was a cut. I hadn't made a mistake like that in decades, since I first navigated my face with a blade.

That wasn't the only gaffe I uncovered this morning. I looked outside to see if the rains had come and realized I left two shovels out in the yard ten days ago. They were positioned where I couldn't see them from the window or front walk, so they had experienced a range of spring weather, including hail.

Am I slipping, I wondered? It's hard to admit that we're growing older. My 89-year-old father said last weekend, "I guess I'm finally old." I don't blame him; I hope to wait until year 89 to claim that adjective.

My point is I'm recognizing my body has an expiration date. God designed life this way. Every moment draws me nearer to the time I see the Lord face to face. So the question is, how will I treat - how will we treat - the remaining precious time we have?

Today I didn't ask for my prayer wish list to be fulfilled. I simply prayed for God to stand in the way of my worry. I asked God to take care of future details behind the scenes while I just focus on today. I requested God's presence throughout this day, the eternal intersecting with the present to make this moment holy.

Join me in making this moment holy, lifting our heads from the ordinary to recognize the extraordinary Holy Spirit that dwells within us. The Spirit guides us. The Spirit loves us. The Spirit beckons us toward heaven. Let us live in the eternal this day and always, surrounded by little reminders of our own expiration dates.

I would really love for you to read through "Collections, Vol. 1 - 31 Devotions and Essays." This selection from my most popular social media posts is my newest gift to readers. It contains 25 devotions and practical faith blog entries, six Freewheeling blog posts, and five Advent pieces. When you register at CecilTaylorMinistries.com, I'll send you the soft copy mini-book right away. You'll also receive my two free monthly newsletters, Backstage Pass and Monthly Connections.