“Meditations of the heart” from Missy Buchanan

Meditations
UpperRoom.org

Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults by Missy Buchanan

I purchased this book of “meditations of the heart” to send to my elderly mom who has been struggling with why she is still on this earth.  She often says, “God must not want me yet.  There must be a reason I am still here.” My mom has a purpose as we all do.

The following is an excerpt from this encouraging book of meditations:

“What Purpose, God?

I confess there are days when pain suffocates my passion for living.

There are dark nights when fear chokes out hope.

Sometimes I wonder why you have left me on this earth.

I have outlived so many family and friends.  Why do I linger?

What purpose could you have for me now?

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Find peace, strength, guidance and forgiveness in prayer

“Our Foolishness, His Faithfulness”prayer

An Excerpt from #84-22
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 29, 2017
By Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Copyright 2017 Lutheran Hour Ministries

“…When you look back at your life, are you haunted by wrong and shameful things you have done or said or thought? Have you committed acts which you struggle to keep hidden from everyone else; acts which twist your stomach into knots, which bring a blush to your cheeks and rob you of sleep? Now let me ask, ‘What has the world done to bring you lasting and permanent peace?’ If you are like most, you will have to admit the world has no medication, no program, no philosophical plan which can remove those sins and soothe your conscience. Let me continue. When you think of your own mortality and the moment you will breathe your last, do you ever wonder what will happen next? Are you absolutely convinced that death is the end of everything or do you, every so often, get a fleeting feeling that there is something more and you aren’t prepared for what’s going to happen? Have you ever longed to have something, someone in whom you can place your trust… someone who is absolutely reliable and will always be there for you?

If so, I encourage you, abandon any attitude which has labeled the cross as being foolish. The crucified and risen Christ came to erase those sins which trouble your days and upset your nights. He has come to give you a peace which the world cannot give. Look to the cross and empty grave of Jesus and know that, right now, a living Lord extends His nail-pierced hands to you in welcome. Jesus says, ‘Come to me and I will listen, I will carry your concerns; I will hear your prayers; I will comfort your soul and my love for you will never end.‘”