Dear Ones,
Happy weekend! The time is almost here as tomorrow our kids and spouses and some of the grandkids will all be together and will be celebrating our anniversary with them. We have a house rented in Baxter for a week and we hope to be able to have more family times during the coming week.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Each season of our life on earth has its special blessings, and as a small child we are often in a hurry to get to the second quarter. But once there, we want to rush through our second quarter in order to reach the third quarter, where we assume there will be more time to relax and be free of many responsibilities. Not many want to rush to the fourth quarter, as changes start occurring in our health and aging, but it can also be a time of adventure, challenge and continued growth. I am reading Emilie Griffin’s book called “Green Leaves for Later Years,” and she leaves us a path to follow that shows we still have purpose, inspiring us to live each day in the present moment with a new beginning.

During the last quarter of life, we often experience pain as our health begins to decline. But rather than dwell on pain, we can still wisely choose to live deeply and well, gaining wisdom. We don’t know what the years ahead will hold, but we can gather beautiful memories and remember God’s many gifts to us. The Word says that our later years are a gift and reward from God. It’s up to us what we do with our gift. My dad lived to be 100 and he was one that just accepted life as it came to him. He didn’t complain, but received the gift and cherished it. Some people get bitter as they age, but others get better. Let us be ones that treasure each quarter of our life, and get better.

Griffen tells us to enjoy the adventure of living, relish the unexpected, and to trust God. We are to cherish the years and to live each day fully. It is written in Psalm 90:12,”Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We all need faith to trust God with our lives, treasuring our years until the very end. Let us be grateful for the quarter the Lord has us in and for each day He gives us to know and love Him more.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to teach you to live the day fully and be open to new ways of growing closer to Him.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy