Bearing Fruit in Old Age
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I was meditating on a verse this week. "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) I started thinking of my "beginnings." My mother had me at a time when women her age no longer had babies. In fact, her doctor told her she could no longer have children. But she prayed - for one more child that she could dedicate to become a missionary. She had a heart for missions. She couldn't go, but she prayed for a child that would go.
Well, against all odds, she had me. And she prayed over me every day of my growing up years that I would be a missionary. During these same years, Floyd's parents prayed daily for the woman that would some day be his wife. That's a lot of prayers invested in me.....one who is "fearfully and wonderfully made." I have no doubt that God's hand has been upon me from my conception - and that He led me to the right partner in life. From our first meeting at a YWAM outreach, to getting to know each other writing letters, and to our wedding day - we sensed God's hand upon us. We had a wonderful life in ministry together - not always smooth and easy, but rich and rewarding.
I'm older now. I'm a widow. I'm battling cancer. I sometimes wonder what's ahead.....but God reminded me as I meditated on that verse - that I'm still "fearfully and wonderfully made." That hasn't changed. And He led me to another verse - "They shall still bear fruit in old age." (Psalm 92:14)
God's plan for our lives doesn't change as the years go by. Our situations may change. Our bodies certainly change. But He hasn't changed! He still has a plan for us because we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." He has "fruit" for us in every season of life. We may not always see it, but we can stand on the promise in His word.
I read of a lady who was housebound and in a wheelchair. She put an ad in the newspaper and told people they could call her if they wanted to talk. They could share their problems and help each other. She immediately started getting calls - 30 or more a week. Even in her difficult situation, God gave her a way to have "fruit."
He who made us has fruit for us in every season of life!
I've had a very full week with a lot of different things to deal with. My energy is lagging, but it's been sufficient to get me through the week. I'm so grateful for that. The Lord spoke to me through a devotional I was reading. "Be strong...and work; for I am with you." (Haggai 2:4) All I can do is be strong with what energy I have, get busy with the work, and He will be with me. That encourages me so much - and I'm thankful that it's been true!
So, as I come to the end of this week, I am thankful, thankful, thankful! God has been so good to me - in so many ways - on so many levels. He is awesome in His faithfulness!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
"Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." Psalm 100:4
I'm praising His name for His goodness!