The Years Added to My Life

pamrcone
7 hours ago
4 min read

***A Wisdom & Grace Reflection on Time, Purpose, and Presence***

“For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.”Proverbs 9:11 - KJV

I remember being around five years old when I became acutely aware that I was in the world.

Aware of my own existence.

I have vague memories before then, but at five, I remember hunting for four-leaf clovers in the grass. I was looking closely at the ground, searching for something special among the green. Then I looked up and saw the sky.

And in that moment, I realized how big the world was. That was 50 years ago.

Now, at 55, I find myself thinking more intentionally about time. The gray hair is coming in quicker than I can fight it off, and while I do not fear aging, I am more determined to make each day count.

I do not fear getting older. But I do feel the weight of wanting to complete what I believe God has asked me to do. After experiencing a stroke, I carry an even deeper awareness that life is a gift. There are moments when I sit with the reality that I am still here by the grace of God. Still able to love. Still able to serve. Still able to build. Still able to hear Him. Still able to become.

There is something about time that can feel both generous and elusive. We can look back and wonder how years passed so quickly, while still feeling the urgency of what remains in our hearts. Dreams, ideas, prayers, responsibilities, family, ministry, business, legacy — all of it can live inside of us at once.

I must admit, I am not always as present as I would like to be. Sometimes my mind is trying to keep up with all the ideas I have, all the work I want to accomplish, and all that I believe God has placed in my heart. There are moments when I am physically present, but mentally sorting through plans, possibilities, next steps, and responsibilities.

Nevertheless, I want to savor the moments.

The moments when I can hear the Lord speak to my heart and mind — whether the Word is for me, for someone else, or both. The moments when I look at my husband and think, God has called us to do great things together. The moments when I look at my children and sit in awe of the amazing adults they have become. And especially the moments when I look at my grandchildren and realize they are part of our future, our legacy, and God’s continued faithfulness.

***Stephen, Me, & LaJoya on the beach in Hawaii***

Wisdom teaches us that time is not only something to manage. Time is something to steward.

It is possible to be busy and still miss the moment. It is possible to be productive and still not be present. It is possible to be moving, building, serving, and planning, while still needing to pause and ask the Lord, Am I using the years You have added to my life wisely?

That question matters to me.

Because Proverbs reminds us that wisdom adds life. Wisdom multiplies days. Wisdom does not merely help us accomplish more. Wisdom helps us live better.

Wisdom helps us discern what deserves our attention.

Wisdom helps us know when to move and when to be still.

Wisdom helps us recognize what is meaningful, what is fleeting, and what God has placed in our hands to steward.

At 55, I am grateful for the years added to my life. I am grateful for the lessons, the grace, the recovery, the family, the calling, the opportunities, and the moments I did not fully understand when I was living through them.

But I am also prayerful. I want to live the years ahead with intention. I want to be present enough to hear God clearly. I want to love my family well. I want to build what He has placed in my heart. I want to serve where I am called to serve. I want to finish the work appointed to my hands. Time can feel elusive. It can feel like a mystery. It moves quickly, quietly, and sometimes before we feel ready. But this I know for sure in my heart:

I want to use it wisely.

So my daily prayer is simple:

Lord, let Your will be done on earth in my life as it is in heaven. Let that which You have ordained for me be fulfilled in the years You have added to my life.

May wisdom teach us to number our days.

May grace help us savor the moments.

And may the years added to our lives be filled with purpose, presence, obedience, and love.

Reflection Question:What is one moment you are learning to savor in this season of your life?

Prayer:Lord, give me wisdom for the years You have added to my life. Help me to be present, discerning, and faithful. Teach me to steward my time, my family, my calling, and my purpose with grace. Let Your will be done in my life as it is in heaven. Amen.

Dr. Pamela Cone is the Assistant Pastor, Dominion, CLGI, an author, speaker, leadership consultant. Through her ministry, teaching, and mulit-media platforms, she encourages spiritual, interpersonal, and professional growth by helping others seek alignment with who God created them to be, walk in wisdom, and grow in grace.