Whose Mind Is Full

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

EVERY YEAR SINCE 1979, I have purchased a new wall calendar for myself. I’m old enough to remember hanging the calendar near the phone in the kitchen so I could record all my important dates and appointments on it. Today, of course, phones aren’t attached to the wall and fewer people hang calendars. Now, we can fit it all in our pockets. I take my phone—and the calendar app that comes with it—wherever I go. But honestly, I rely most heavily on something far superior—my running mental list.

That’s right. Despite all the advancements of modern technology, there is one form of record keeping that has yet to be surpassed: Momma’s memory! When did my child take their last dose of medicine? Momma remembers! When is picture day? Momma knows. Need a science-fair project for school on Tuesday? Momma’s on it! Have an orthodontist appointment next month at 4:40 p.m.? Momma has it in her data bank! You need your softball helmet for the next away game, but you left it at Gram’s house? No worries! Momma will have it picked up, polished, and ready for the batter’s box before school gets out at three.

We remember just about everything, but all of this can take a toll on a momma’s peace! What if she forgets something important? What if she tries her best, consults her calendar, and still lets someone down? Plus, there aren’t just dates to remember; there are decisions to make along the way. My friend, just as we use tools to help us manage our times and places, we need to lean on the Lord’s wisdom to help us make wise decisions.

As Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days means looking at what God has done in the past so we can trust He will meet us in our present and future. As we begin to see the pattern of who God is in our lives—His goodness, His kindness, and His knowledge—we draw on His wisdom as we consider every upcoming event, whether it’s written down on our calendar or stored only in our hearts and minds.

So tonight we remind you of Paul’s words to his friends in Philippi: “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT). How encouraging to know that when both our calendars and our minds are full, we can trust that the Lord never runs out of space or wisdom.

Tonight we pray for the momma whose mind is full. Lord, she keeps all the details for all her people. She knows dates, times, schedules, and preferences—everything from who likes what to eat to who has which practice when. Her mind rarely rests because she is always looking ahead, always making plans to keep her family healthy and happy. Tonight, Lord, we ask for a special kind of rest. Please put her mind at ease so she can have mental and emotional peace. Help her trust You with all her tomorrows.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Father, please help me track these details that I am so worried I might forget: