When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6.

He lets me rest in green meadows, He leads me beside peaceful streams. Psalm 23:2.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 121: A stranger to own brethren. Psalm 69:8: I have become estranged from my brothers and an alien to my mother’s sons. And, John 1:11; 7:5: He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

There is something very comforting in trusting Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. I’m finding I’m entering into a whole different level of trust that comes with aging. In all the other stages of life there was excitement even with fear and there was energy fit for each stage encountered. This is different. Energy is waning and I’m finding comfort in knowing that God is with me every step just as He has always been; but now I’m more aware of Him maybe because my steps are slowing and not rushing. Going to my secret place is always with Him. I don’t have to close the door anymore because it feels like this door is open that can’t be shut and the space just beyond is infinite. I shared yesterday the photo of the painting of Mary holding Jesus as He was as a baby. Now today I’m wondering what it was like for her as she experienced aging. She knew Jesus, her firstborn, her Savior, was right there with her and I bet she could feel His Presence more deeply as she drew near to her time to be with Him again. There is something freeing in accepting and knowing our time in this physical life is drawing to a final stage, however long that stage may be. I’m finding it easier to follow and not rush ahead of God; but I do remember fondly rushing, skipping, bounding back in all my impatience of youth and maybe that’s why this feels so very different now. How I love that He knows me and understands every stage. I pray that you come to know Him and experience His love in each and every stage of this life He has given.

***IN THIS LONELY PLACE – Be my friend, O LORD, in this lonely place. You surround me with beauty, but my friends are far away. Fill my heart with joy. With joy let me think of You. May Your joy banish all my lonely thoughts. My thoughts go to a dark place where Satan whispers lies, where feelings reign and truth is hard to discern. Shine Your light, O God, upon me and give me clear vision and discernment. Sweep away this gloaming of spirit. Lisa Sawhill (Athens, Georgia), personal prayer, 2020.***