WITHERED LEAVES

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

This is a tough week for our Parish. On Sunday, God already went ahead of us and spoke about the Grace to Overcome. He was preparing us, even when we didn’t know what lay ahead. His Word reminds us that nothing catches Him by surprise, and His grace is sufficient for every burden we carry.

This morning I have been thinking about purpose—about what it really means to live a full life. Life, in many ways, is like the cycle of a leaf. It begins green and vibrant, offering shade, nourishment, and beauty. But in its time, it withers and falls.

The question is not whether it will wither, but what difference it made while it was still alive.

When our time comes, will we have lived fully? Will we have given, served, and loved in a way that leaves behind a legacy?

The Apostle Paul said he had “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). That is the testimony of a life poured out for the right cause.

Sometimes, we imagine that leaving a legacy means doing great things the whole world will see. But often, it is in the small acts of faithfulness—raising godly children, encouraging a weary soul, serving faithfully in church, showing kindness to a neighbor—that we plant seeds which outlive us.

Just as leaves that fall to the ground enrich the soil for new growth, so too can our lives enrich others long after we are gone.

God does not ask us to control the length of our days—only to be faithful with what He has given. The grace to overcome is not just about getting through trials, but about pressing on toward our purpose, even when life is hard.

So today, as we reflect on those who have gone before us, let’s not only mourn but also ask ourselves:

• Am I living fully?
• Am I fulfilling the purpose God placed in me?
• Will I leave behind withered leaves that gave life while they lasted?

Teach us, Lord, to number our days. May our lives be full of meaning, and may our legacy be a testimony of Your grace.