My grandmother often said to us, “做人笑笑哩好,” which means, “It’s good to face life with a light and cheerful heart.” She hoped we would approach life with ease—not to avoid hard work, but to guard our hearts from selfish ambition or being trapped by worldly pursuits. Her words remind me that life is precious and must be treasured with the right posture.

Yet many of us live as though life will never end—planning endlessly, chasing tirelessly, worrying constantly—forgetting how temporary we truly are. Psalm 144 gives us a sobering reminder:

“O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.” (Psalm 144:3–4)

Life is short, yet we often waste our days pursuing comfort, recognition, or things that vanish in a moment.

Psalm 144 reminds us of what truly matters. The center of life is not our achievements, but who God is and what He has done. God protects us (vv. 1–2). He gives us strength and shelter. God saves us (vv. 7–11). He delivers us from danger and sin. God blesses us (vv. 12–15). He fills our days with abundance, peace, and joy. At the same time, the psalm teaches us that without Him, we are powerless (vv. 5–8). Our abilities and plans cannot sustain us—we need His mercy every moment.

So how should we live this brief and fragile life? We are called to live humbly, gratefully, and dependently on God. Each day is an opportunity to rely on Him, walk in His ways, and pursue what is eternal.

May we live in His presence with abundance, faithfulness, and joy, letting each day reflect His grace.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our lives are short, like a breath. Teach us to live wisely and depend humbly on You. Protect us, save us, and bless us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.