Each of us has a story or two about a dark time in our life. For me, it was watching my husband grow increasingly ill as his kidneys failed. For us, God’s miracle of a kidney transplant lifted that particular darkness. Many of you are walking through a dark time right now. Where is God in all of this?

He is the light. A phone call from a friend, a meal dropped off by a neighbor, hearing that a group of people you do not even know is praying for you; these are all things that brighten your day. Jesus reminds us that He is the source of that light and that He loves us.

And remember, if you are not currently in a place of darkness, God can use you to reflect His light on those who

are.

The “ole blue eyes” I know is not the singer of previous generations, but a warmhearted 90-something card player with the most beautiful, piercing, clear blue eyes I have seen. My sister is putting names and faces together when we play cards. We refer to Ron as the one with the beautiful blue eyes. My brother-in-law is right there asking “just how old is this guy?” with a hint of “maybe I should play cards too” slipping through. Ron’s attitude portrays a gracefully aging gentleman, taking joy in everyday moments. The same peace and joy that Ron displays is also ours. It’s ours because we know God never changes. He was the same in the New Testament as in the Old, and still that same God today. Our God gives hope to all of us. Every day, we know and rely on God’s promises to sustain us. And because of the promises from our changeless God, we continue to bear spiritual fruit.

My pastor receives new members at the end of worship services. They are welcomed and introduced to the congregation. One Sunday, Shirley was received. Pastor called her forward to answer questions confessing our faith. Shirley started forward; however, she was followed by 8 other women. Pastor was surprised. “What is happening?” he asked. “Shirley is a member of our Friday morning Bible class. We have encouraged her to join our church. We are all her sponsors,” responded the ladies. I know most of the Friday morning Bible class members. Their commitment, devotion, and love overflow. Their devotion is seen because God’s love is limitless. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Inside a neglected prayer booth behind my friend’s church, a plant had grown unnoticed. Taller than my head, it had lush green leaves and stems suffused with purple. Branch tips bore spikes of dark berries. It was pokeweed — beautiful, but toxic!

Our souls can also bear toxic fruit if left untended. The taste of gossip may seem sweet at first. The bitterness of resentment can be as habit-forming as strong coffee. Self-pity can twine itself up the walls of our hearts before we even notice, casting a shade over our days. Tiny seeds of irritation grow and branch, obscuring the light. Scripture warns against allowing a “root of bitterness” to grow. Instead, dwell on God’s grace, nurture thankfulness, and feed on God’s Word.

Sacrifice isn’t easy, especially when it requires us to give up something we love and have worked hard for. Things like giving up college to help work the family farm; missing a vacation to attend a funeral; skipping a meal to take a call from a hurting friend; sacrificing your personal time or money to help a neighbor in need. Through the Holy Spirit, sincere love toward others gives comfort to our souls.

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our salvation shows the depth of God’s love for us as we seek true peace. Growing older, we continue to find rest in God’s promises to sustain us, trusting in His mercy to forgive our sins, and discovering true joy through prayer, knowing He hears and loves us.

We know all about being forgetful. In fact, as we grow older, we become quite an expert at it. Sometimes we forget minor things, like the location of the car keys. We know, too, that there can be more serious and frightening episodes of forgetfulness, but it is surprising to hear that God forgets.

God, who knows all things, announces His own eternal episode of forgetfulness. For the sake of His own holy name, because of His reputation of righteousness and steadfast love, He sent His Son to be our Savior. Jesus carried our sins in His body to the cross and those sins are now forgiven, washed away in Jesus’ blood. God not only promises to forget our sins, He has already done so. You will find the car keys, but not your sins. They are gone forever.

When days pass slowly, my mind wanders back to mistakes I’ve made: disloyalty, hurtful words and deeds, and much worse. Why can’t we forget the wrongs we have done?

Perhaps we do not clearly see how our loving God forgives us. “... as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12; “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” Isaiah 1:18; “... his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:13-14. The more clearly we see God’s seriousness in forgiving us, the better we can see ourselves through His eyes: pure, loved, forgiven, redeemed children and heirs. Then we can love ourselves and others that same way.

I have found God’s loving plans for me in my life, even when I could not see them. I had to change high schools between my Junior and Senior years. I wanted to go to one school because of a girl I was dating, but I was not in that district. The school I was required to go is where I met my wife of 58 years.

I had the opportunity to stay in the Air Force, but God led me not to. If I had reenlisted, my son would never have met his future wife, and my two grandsons would never have been born. We cannot always see what God has planned for us, but in hindsight, we can see how God guides and directs us in the direction He wants us to go.

A friend I cherished signed off her notes and messages with “Peace and Joy.” I liked that because it attested to her faith, but also because these are gifts only God can give.

On human terms, we see peace as the opposite of strife, calm after a storm. Earthly peace falls apart even though we have treaties and promises. God’s peace takes away sin which separates us from Him. He forgave by giving us Jesus as ransom. We can approach Him, no longer unworthy or banished. We have His peace which is forever.

I believe it took growing old for me to learn how God’s

peace enables me to find joy.

The concept of faith takes many forms in our daily lives.

One afternoon in my youth, I played football with friends. I called a pass play. Dropping back, I estimated my friend Jimmy’s running speed, direction, and distance. Then I threw the ball to an intersection spot. He made the reception and scored.

Jimmy believed that if he took the proper route, I would, as promised, throw him the ball. For my part, I hoped he would catch it.

The score confirmed that our belief in each other was well founded.

Seniors know the many ways faith in God affects them daily. They are so numerous that often, some take them for granted. I, and others my age, find comfort in God’s promise that “... whoever believes in me ... shall never die” (John 11:25).