Psalm 103: Bloom and Grow

"Our days on earth are like grass, like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows and we are gone - as though we had never been here." --Psalm 103:15-16 I've been thinking a lot lately about blooming and growing and changing! Yesterday, I had to drive to South Carolina to vote (yes, we still have our house there and didn't change our residency to NC in time). As we drove down I-77, my husband and I were quite struck over and over at the beautiful, lush reds and yellows coming from the changing trees! It made me think of how quickly they change and then after one good rain or wind storm they are gone, leaving the somber empty twigs to sway in the col winter's wind. No doubt, though, they are quite lovely at their peak! We know based on the other Psalms we have explored so far this school year (in these emails) that David can be quite negative in the Psalms (though he always seems to be able to praise God through it). But, I'm not sure this is one of his crying out in misery kind of moments! There are so many awesomely positive topics mentioned in this Psalm (like forgiveness and redemption and healing and satisfaction) that it is almost like David is sharing what one commentary I read referred to as the "benefits package" of life with Christ. But I think we are simply a witness to an affectionate moment of David to God and that this Psalm is a reminder that God calls us to make every day count! After my driving experience yesterday with the trees, I was particularly drawn to verses 15 and 16 from Psalm 103. When I read them, I questioned David's inspiration! Was he looking at some blooming beauty or colorful scene as I saw yesterday when he wrote this Psalm? I don't know ... but I think David teaches us a great lesson in these words! Our life is much like a blooming plant or tree cycle: growing, reaching maturity, and then fading away. Think about it! We must learn and feed ourselves so as to have the most impact with our influence = the growing Our time on Earth is a blessing and can produce beauty = the bloom or peak color time Sharing what you've got today, not tomorrow so as to make your mark on the world and leave a legacy. Bottom line - we will all die one day = the fading away So, my advice from this Psalm is two-fold! First, make the most of each opportunity each day. The fact is we don't know if there will be a tomorrow or what that tomorrow will bring! For David, there was a lot of strife. For us, maybe or maybe not. Either way, the challenge is to bloom and grow each day; some days we will also have moments where we wither away! It's all a natural part of our growth cycle! Remember, the beauty that comes from a blooming flower or a fall tree couldn't come unless the withering process happened earlier! The same is true for us! Secondly, remember to stop and have those affectionate moments with God, just as David seems to do here! Those are the moments in which you will experience your peak and be your most beautiful!