“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21

Aging is often a time of loss. My memory, my energy, and my abilities are not what they used to be; and I know the future likely holds more and greater losses.

Job’s words comfort me. Everything I have ever called “mine” was given by God. He provided it all for me, his child. Even as my abilities and my world shrink, I am still his child. That relationship will never be taken away.

Job regained his health, wealth, and family. I don’t expect to regain my losses in this life. But what awaits me in my Father’s home far outweighs all losses here. There, in our eternal home, there is no loss.

Karen Kogler
Palatine, IL

Father, give me patience in my losses as I await all that you will yet give me. Amen.

Reflect: What has the Lord taken away from you? Which of his gifts remain?

Read: Job 1:13-22 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18