How To Achieve True Wealth

The quiet of early morning is broken only by the distant sounds of children walking to school and a nest of baby birds chirping outside her window. She sits straight with her shoulders rigid, her muscles tensed tight in anger as she reflects upon her life.  Moments later, her shoulders drop and then her head follows. 

She cries into her hands with remorse and sadness for straying from the life she believed her destiny, but unfulfilled.  She’s older now, there’s less time and less opportunity, she thinks. Her heart feels the anguish of lost dreams and self-indulgent lies that took her away from the path of righteous living. 

“It’s too late,” she whispers.  “My life is gone without purpose or fulfillment.  God’s will was not alive through me.  Where did the time go?”

Expecting more tears, instead her somber face begins to soften and her eyes dry.  A glimmer of hope grows brighter until she hears the words, “it’s never too late with God.”

At first, she resists the words leading her back to the path of life eternal.  She feels shame until her emotions are quelled by an omnipresent love she can’t resist.  She feels the forgiveness, the love that goes beyond her understanding and then an abiding peace.  It’s no longer possible to keep her attention centered upon her pain, but instead on the vision of her purpose.  It’s time to stop crying and live.

She stands quickly with new hope and determination to forget the past.  It’s not that difficult, she thinks, I feel the power of renewal surging through my being.  I still have the dreams and the faith in God to live them His Way! 

“Dear Heavenly Father,” she begins to pray on her knees, “I repent from a life on my terms.  I give my will over to you alone.  From this moment forth I give my life to you and will wait upon you as you have done for me all these many years.  Please take the reins of my life and lead me to wherever you desire for me to go, to do what you want me to do, and to be what you want me to be.  I trust you to give me good health and presence of mind and heart to live in strength and boldness for Christ.  In Jesus Name Amen.”

I volunteered many years ago to share God’s Word with those who lived in a rest home.  Some sat alone, looking out the window as if waiting to die. Others seemed reconciled to their plight of living in a place they didn’t enjoy, while a few used this time as an opportunity to allow God’s love to shine through them.

Wherever you are, you can be the light of Christ shining through a dark window.  This is how to achieve true wealth.

Live your life to the fullest from where you stand today.  It’s never too late with God. Don’t let your lost dreams remain broken no matter what your age.  God will help you pick up the pieces and put them altogether one by one, step by step. 

-Margaret