Dear Heavenly Father, It is not just that I feel older these days; in many ways, I feel more alive than I did years ago. But 85 carries a different weight. It forces me to see things I could ignore when I was younger: statistically speaking, I have lived longer than I have left. It is a big realization, Lord, and it changes everything.
It has shifted my gaze. I am now looking backward and forward at the same time.
Looking Backward: I look back at the years You carried me through my rebellious and foolish days. I see the victories I celebrated, the mistakes I regret, and the seasons where I chased things that ultimately left me empty. But mostly, I see the moments where You showed up in ways I could never have orchestrated and certainly did not expect. Thank You for Your faithfulness through it all.
Looking Forward: Now, I turn my eyes to the question that matters most: How do I finish strong?
Lord, I do not ask to be famous. I do not ask for comfort. I do not ask for financial success. My only ambition now is to be faithful. To be obedient. To be impactful.
Give me the strength to run the remaining miles of this race with perseverance. Let my final chapter be one of surrender and love. Let my life, even now, point others to You.
I pray this in the name of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. Amen.
Verses for Today: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
