Grandmother’s Prayer for October 20th

Father, Your Word says to grow up into Christ in all things. That growing does not stop in this life. It keeps happening at every age. The growth at my age is not as easy to see as it is in little ones who outgrow their shoes so fast. My growth happens inside. A little more patience than a few years ago. A little less worry about my children's choices. A little more steadiness in prayer. None of it is big or loud. All of it is real. Christ, keep me from thinking the growing is done. Your Word says in all things. There is no part of me that has fully arrived. My kindness can grow. My trust can grow. My willingness to listen instead of giving advice can grow. My words can grow lighter and gentler. Each one is a small place where growing up into You can be the work of this year. Today, help me make one inch of growth in one of those areas. Just one. The growing is slow at this age, like the growing of a tree in late autumn — quiet, hidden, but real. Keep me growing as long as You give me breath. And when my growing days are done, bring me home by Your grace, not because I grew enough, but because You are good. Amen.