Remember Your Creator

In a small town nestled in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains, there lived an old woman named Martha. She had lived in the town her whole life, and as she grew older, she spent more and more time reading the Bible and reflecting on its teachings.

One day, as she was reading the book of Ecclesiastes, she came across a verse that caught her attention: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'"

Martha thought about these words for a long time. She realized that even though she had spent her whole life in service to God, there were still moments when she felt lost or disconnected. She decided to take the verse to heart and make a plan to reconnect with her faith.

She started by reaching out to other members of her church. She invited them over for tea and coffee and spent time listening to their stories and sharing her own. As she spent more time with others who shared her faith, she felt a renewed sense of community and belonging.

She also began attending Bible studies and prayer groups at her church. She loved the feeling of being surrounded by others who were seeking to deepen their relationship with God. They shared their struggles and victories, and she felt encouraged by their stories.

But Martha knew that faith wasn't just about spending time in church. She wanted to find ways to connect with God in her everyday life. She started taking long walks in the woods near her home, marveling at the beauty of nature and feeling a sense of peace and connection with the divine.

As she walked, she thought about the teachings of the Bible and how they applied to her life. She remembered the story of Ruth and Naomi, two women who had faced great loss and hardship but had remained steadfast in their faith. She drew strength from their example and felt a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

One day, as she was walking through the woods, she came across a group of young people who were camping nearby. They were laughing and playing music, and Martha couldn't help but feel a little envious of their energy and enthusiasm.

But as she watched them, she realized that their joy and playfulness was actually a gift from God. She remembered the words of Jesus: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Martha realized that joy and playfulness were not just for the young. They were a reminder of the abundance and goodness of God, and they could bring joy and fulfillment to people of all ages.

She started incorporating more playfulness into her life, taking up hobbies like gardening and painting. She even joined a local theater group and started performing in community plays.

As she approached the end of her life, Martha felt a deep sense of gratitude for the lessons she had learned. She realized that faith was not just a set of rules or beliefs, but a way of living that brought joy and purpose to her everyday life.

And as she closed her eyes for the final time, she felt a sense of peace and connection with God. She knew that she had lived her life in service to the divine, and that her faith had given her the strength to face whatever challenges came her way.

In the end, Martha knew that the words of Ecclesiastes had been true. By remembering her Creator in the days of her youth, she had found joy and fulfillment even in the later years of her life.