Our priorities often change over time. When we’re young and life is staring us in the face, we can take it on with little fear of failure. As we grow older, we see that life is fickle and things we didn’t expect to happen – do. We run through obstacles that should be building our character, but more than often, they can stunt our ability to proceed. As our older years approach and our bodies are incapable of doing what they did ten years ago, we get frustrated and even wonder why we worked so hard for so long. Our priorities become unimportant.

So, why do we push forward? Why do we set goals for ourselves? Why do we try to climb the ladder of success only to be knocked down in the process? In a way, unless we do something memorable, meaningful to mankind or become famous for some amazing discovery, we’ll be nothing more than a name on a gravestone when we die. That sounds really negative, doesn’t it? We all want to leave some semblance of ourselves behind when the time comes, but why is that so important to us? I think the answer lies in the expectations placed upon us throughout our days of living. Many of those assumptions are much more than we can legitimately accomplish. It makes more sense to set realistic goals.

As I approach this final season of my life, I can’t help but think about this. Do any of my successes matter? Maybe my losses matter more. Perhaps the goals of one’s life have absolutely nothing to do with us personally. I know that is true in my case. As I press on to my heavenly home, I know that I have nothing to do with that either. My God has provided that destination for me through His unconditional love. If I didn’t have that truth to lean on, everything else would be meaningless. Knowing that I am a loved, child of God is all that’s necessary.