When we are young, our bodies seem to work flawlessly. We have strength, flexibility, energy and enthusiasm. When I was in grammar school, I participated in an annual fundraiser; a twenty-five-mile hike. People would sponsor me per mile, and I completed the walk each year without a problem. If I were to attempt that hike now, my sponsors would get away cheap.
But even an aging body is an amazing gift from God. Which makes me wonder: What if the drawbacks of aging are actually tremendous blessings? What if our ailments are God’s way of slowly, gently and lovingly preparing us for eternity? Maybe our physical weakening can lead to our spiritual strengthening. Maybe this is God’s way of whispering something incredibly joyful in our ear: “You’re getting closer to me,” God may be saying. “Closer to my unconditional love. Closer to being able to run and not grow weary. Closer to being delivered from this mortal body.”
What a beautiful thought, it certainly sheds a new light on how we feel when we age and can no longer achieve the things we did when younger. Blessing and thankyou for your daily devotions.
Thank you, everyone, for your witnessing for faith in Jesus Christ, our savior. You have helped me grow stronger in our catholic faith. I haven't posted in over two years, but I'm an every night reader. I come to you today to ask prayers for my son, Mark who passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon. I'm very happy to say that he had come to believe in God again and wanted to go back to church but wasn't able to. Thank you!!
Barbara, lifting you in this time of grieving. May God be holding Mark in his comforting arms. Eternal rest grant unto Mark and may perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
Thank you, Salina, for your encouraging words! I am nothing without my Lord and Savior. He will get me through whatever comes.
I’m so sorry for the sudden loss of your beloved son, Mark :-( I feel a sense of peace and comfort from your written request knowing your faith in Christ is sustaining you during this difficult time of this sudden loss of your beloved son. You emphasize the joy of knowing your son is in the arm of Jesus because he believed in Jesus!!! Reminds me of John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to her, “I AM the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Our answer is YES, we believe!!! Nothing Jesus said here requires us to go to church in order to be saved! Just believe :-) *** My prayer for you, Barbara, in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!” Amen ✝️
Please pray for those here in Lewiston my heart is crushed for the families who lost many of their family members. Let us pray for them and lift up our prayers to God to end the violence and war over the whole world.
Bonnie, just devastating. We own a place on the beach in Maine a few hours from there and are heartbroken for the community. Lifting you from down south. Amen.
Terence thank you for your touching reflection today. It reminds me to take each day as a new opportunity to spend it with God and seek his will. In life there are ups and downs and each has a purpose to help us to learn how to serve God. He is always with us!
Terence, your reflection really touched my heart/soul today. Last night at my men’s Cursillo groupings, I shared my thoughts about a newsletter article by Brian Pusateri entitled “I Wasn’t-I am-I Won’t be from his “4th Days Letter “ “I Wasn’t : We were brought into this world by no choice or will of our own, I Won’t be: none of us will be here forever, and I am (small case) what we do in this world to bring others to Christ.” Our “I am” is our life. In closings, I refer to the poem THE DASH by Linda Ellis, “For it matters, not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live in love and how we spend our Dash.”
Blessings to your continued 4th days, Stephen!!! Also the dash preparation is so short when compare with spending eternity with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ✝️ *** Almost Home by MercyMe https://youtu.be/aa3nij927Ig?si=d6RX49I51qgqV2Me
Loved, "this is God’s way of whispering something incredibly joyful in our ear: “You’re getting closer to me,” God may be saying. “Closer to my unconditional love. Closer to being able to run and not grow weary. Closer to being delivered from this mortal body.” *** I continue to tell my family and friends and now LLFamily, who will listen to me that "do rejoice" if I die this night because of God's mercy and grace that I will be with God enjoying my eternal afterlife :-))) In light of this truth, I so agree with what Paul said Philippians 1:21-25, "For me, life finds all its meaning in Christ. Death also has its benefits. Suppose I go on living in my body. Then I will be able to carry on my work. It will bear a lot of fruit. But what should I choose? I don’t know! I can’t decide between the two. I long to leave this world and be with Christ. That is better by far. But it is more important for you that I stay alive. I’m sure of this. So I know I will remain with you. And I will continue with all of you to help you grow in your faith. I will also continue to help you be joyful in what you have been taught." *** There is this dichotomy going on within me on this side of heaven as Paul did in Romans 7:14-20, "We know that the law is holy. But I am not. I have been sold to be a slave of sin. I don’t understand what I do. I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate to do. I do what I don’t want to do. So I agree that the law is good. As it is, I am no longer the one who does these things. It is sin living in me that does them. I know there is nothing good in my desires controlled by sin. I want to do what is good, but I can’t. I don’t do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don’t want to do. I do what I don’t want to do. But I am not really the one who is doing it. It is sin living in me that does it." Can you imagine Paul telling us this conflict within him, the greatest apostle to the Gentiles!!! *** Here is what is going on with Paul in Romans 7:21-24a, "Here is the law I find working in me. When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. Deep inside me I find joy in God’s law. But I see another law working in me. It fights against the law of my mind. It makes me a prisoner of the law of sin. That law controls me. What a terrible failure I am!" I can totally relate!!! ******* Here is the Good News for Paul and I in Romans 7:24b-25a, "Who will save me from this sin that brings death to my body? I give thanks to God Who saves me. He saves me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Amen!!! Remember it is not what I can do, but what He can do in and through me :-))) I don't belong to myself because I belong to God!!! So whether you are young or old, God's truth applies in Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, “Things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” and Philippians 4:13, " I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.” Amen :-)))
I never really thought of it that way thank you for making me aware of this God bless you all
Terence, This is a timely reflection for me as I turn 70 tomorrow. I maintain my physical body but feel it wearing down, while trying to build up my spiritual self, preparing to meet our maker.
Thank you, Terence! Your reflection is very enlightening. I am very thankful that God has given me the time to know him a little better, to spend time praying and reflecting every morning. Time to share my Faith with our grandchildren. Thinking and praying for everyone in the LFF and for all with special intentions today. God bless you all.
Terence - such a wonderful reflection hitting all of us who are feeling the days catch up to us. I really loved the reframe of, “Maybe this is God’s way of whispering something incredibly joyful in our ear: “You’re getting closer to me,” God may be saying. “Closer to my unconditional love. Closer to being able to run and not grow weary. Closer to being delivered from this mortal body.” I think the slowing down is the reminder. It’s letting us know that God has a reason for adjusting the pace of our our lives. Sending prayers for our community and their families and friends who all need support in their life journeys whether it is from cancer, addiction, loneliness or grief. May we be strong enough to be there for them. Amen.
Lord, please hear our prayers for those in Lewiston, Maine and the surrounding areas. Also our continued petitions for the Ukraine and Middle East, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Maine, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you Jane! Peace to you and your family. Who would have thought this could happen here in Maine. May we continue to offer prayers and fasting for all the souls lost and those still struggling with their lives. For the families of the victims and peace from violence and war. Amen
Terence your words have left me speechless. Something to ponder. Blessings to all the LFF! May we all go out and spread the love of God to everyone we meet. Blessing to all those with special requests Griffin, Cass, Judy, Suzan, Bill L., Stephanie, Maryanne, Carl, Beth, Christine, Victoria, Terry Danny, Betsy, Pam, Liz, Scoop, Vincent, Salina and Jessi, Marco and anyone I missed or may hold needs in their heart quietly.
I’m always amazed at how these devotions come at the right day and time. I’m sitting here in the waiting room, about to see my new PCP. My 71 year old body has many minor ailments, the wearing down through the years. I no longer can physically do the things I was able to do just a few short years ago but I do ponder the fact that we are not meant to be here forever. This is just a journey until we reach the eternal home with our Heavenly Father and his son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Sending out prayers and good wishes for everyone’s good health this day.
Terence, your devotion reminded me of the song lyric: “I’m getting closer to my home!”
Bruce! I loved that song! Grand Funk Railroad! Remembering it was very soothing in it's melody, repeating over and over "I'm Getting Closer To My Home"! Now providing hope filled lyrics!
Terrence thanks for your comments this morning. I have felt the process of aging. I like to think of getting wiser. I agree the Lord is preparing us for heaven. Please get me there a little slower and more gently. Living faith family please pray for those people in Ukraine and Maine and the middle east. Ken
Pam, It’s meaning sure has changed for us over the decades.
Terence. Your reflection expressed something I've felt for the last decade or so. I recently turned 75 and retired after two busy careers (CPA and Professor), along with being a runner. Instead of a daily run first thing in the morning, I do silent reflection and devotional reading, running less frequently, slower and for shorter distances. I totally appreciate the time for my silent prayer and reflection and can't live without it. God Bless!
I’ve had a foot and leg injury that has kept me from my daily gym workout for 3 months. So instead I’ve been going to daily morning Mass. and I have to admit, I’ve often wondered if this was His plan, “ Tricia, your spiritual body needs worked on… be with Me”
Tricia, love this. When I had my foot operated on, I really struggled to get back into the morning workout routine. I am back in it now and still struggling, but day by day hoping to get a little stronger. You are certainly getting spiritually stronger!
Profound, Enlightening and encouraging! God has a purpose for every season of our lives. He is pure agape!
Wow... what an explanation Terence....Praise God... sounds like it
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Barbara, I am so sorry for the passing of your son. Please know that you and he are in my prayers! I commenting to also thank all in the LFF for their kind words regarding the reflection that I authored here. It is rewarding to know that my efforts as an instrument of the Holy Spirit have meant so much to so many of you. God bless!