Life is Just a Handbreadth
I had to look up the word, handbreadth, as I read this scripture. “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” Psalm 39:5. Handbreadth is defined as a linear measurement approximately the width of the palm of the hand, from 2.5 to 4 inches. That’s a very small measurement in terms of the length of our lives. It also says that “everyone is but a breath”! And the way time is rolling on in lightning speed the older I get — I believe it!
When we moved my mother-in-law to my sis-in-law’s home last year, mom was on a mission to give away so many of her treasures. For everthing else, we had an estate sale. It took us a while to distribute it all because Mom wanted to go through every picture from her archives and those that had merited a prominent place in her home. Karen and I patiently sat with her as she explained the back-story for most of the photos. Many of the people in those photos have gone on to heaven. This photo is from her 90th birthday and some of those pictured here who left for heaven already. Many of Mom’s other pictures were of her mom and dad and she was a much younger version of herself in them. She treasured them because life was changing for her. She was now the great grandma and she is the oldest of anyone in her photos. Goodness, I think about me and my own family. All my siblings are gone and I’m the oldest remaining. Indeed, life is just a handbreadth.
A few days ago I attended the funeral of a beloved aunt on my husband’s side of the family. I’m the widowed in-law, but this family has always welcomed me in as one of their own. I have the sweetest memories with this family of so many members. That day I looked around the chapel and the restaurant afterwards. I took in the faces one by one, appreciating something about each of them. I put my phone in my purse. It wasn’t nearly as important as talking to the one next to me. The room was crowded and noisy, and I realized that one day it would be quiet — for many in this room will be all grown up and others will be gone to heaven too.
One day, we’ll remember this day of celebrating the life of a dear mom, grandmother, wife, sister, and aunt when we’re probably celebrating the life of another precious family member who has just departed. We’ll talk about the way we were and we’ll sing songs about heaven. If only we realized the beauty that awaits us, we’d indeed be thanking God that our days are a mere handbreadth before we get to go there too.
My hope is that I’ll watch it and know I didn’t live those moments disengaged or distracted. That I engaged in my own life in the handbreadth of time I was given, valuing all those I love. Lord, help me treasure precious moments as memories in the making. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Psalm 144:4, “They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.”