Regardless of the season of life, there can be fruitfulness. My grandmother had been a busy wife of a farmer. Then in her retirement years, she made herself available to her grandchildren. She did many practical things for us and always had time to just sit down and treat each of us like her most important guest. She loved the Scriptures and wanted us to memorize specific passages. One of those, Psalm 1, has been sustaining to me through all seasons.

The imperatives are clear: Don’t take counsel from or live like those known for wickedness; don’t join forces with mockers; choose a better way of life; delight in the law of the Lord; dwell on God’s Word day and night.

Trees that are planted by streams of water are naturally stable and flourishing. If we are rooted in Christ, we are like those trees, growing throughout the seasons and years, being a blessing to others. We may have to weather the winds of adversity. There may be suffering. God in His wisdom may prune us. But through it all, He tenderly cares for us.