Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt

On By francesrogersIn GOD'S GLORY, GOD'S GRACE, GOD'S WORD, Uncategorized

The country song, Sixteen Tons, was written and recorded by Merle Travis in August, 1946. Based on life in the coalmines of Kentucky, the song was one that I remembered from my childhood. It included the lyrics, “Another day older and deeper in debt.”

When I woke yesterday morning to another birthday (two short of eighty years), many thoughts crossed my mind and ended with this one, using the words “another year.”

How many years do we need before we realize how indebted we are for all God does for us? Biblically speaking, I thought my life might end after my seventieth birthday. But, the Lord had different plans than I knew. Even before then I owed my whole life to Him, but with each subsequent year, He so blesses us to see and to bless and praise His name; to live with a thankful heart.

I am indebted to Him for His creation of me, and His plans for me before I knew Him.

I owe Him for giving me the knowledge of Himself through His Word and the power of His Spirit.

I am indebted to Him for opening my eyes to see my sinfulness and my need for a Savior, for His forgiveness; indebted to Christ, His Son, for the debt He paid for my sins.

I owe Him for a new heart, a new spirit, and a new life in His Spirit.

I thank Him for making me His child, taking me by the hand, and continuing to guide me with His Word and Spirit through this wilderness.

The more He blesses, year after year, especially through the difficult times, the more I owe. The more He gives, the more I know I can never repay.

56-78
I am indebted to Him for a husband for 56 of 78 years; for two children and their spouses, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and another on the way. There are friends, pastors, teachers and others who have been a blessing to us, whom we can never repay.

We could go on praising Him for the next seventy years and would be even more indebted.  His blessings never end, and His promises are forever and ever. And, more is to come. We can never stop His blessings from being poured out upon us, and these only samples of what awaits us for eternity.

Dear heavenly Father, even as I give all to you, it will never be enough to repay you for all that you are, all that you have done, and are doing in my life. Thank you for your mercy and goodness that you cause to follow me all the days of my life, that I may dwell in your house forever. In Jesus’ name I thank you and praise you. Amen.

Image

24 thoughts on “Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt”

  2. Happy belated Birthday Fran! You are a testament to God’s love and grace and I am so thankful that our paths have crossed. It is amazing how God can take our minds and hearts and mold them anew. I think of you and Gerry often and as promised, hold both of you up in prayers to our Father daily. Your acceptance of being a care giver touched my heart and I am sure, the hearts of many, not to mention, Gerry. What a gift you must be to him. God only knows how many days He will give me but if I can only come close to what you have become in Him, I will be happy. I just sent you a holy hug and kiss. Blessings my sister and praise God for the love that He continually showers us with.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  7. Pingback: Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt — God’s Grace ~ God’s Glory! | Talmidimblogging

  9. Happy Birthday!! Thank you for blessing us with your beautiful testimony of praise!! Your words make my heart soar with gratitude to God! May God bless you beyond all that you can imagine in this coming year!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Lynn, for the greeting and for hope for God’s blessing. Today, the day after this birthday, we are facing another uncertainty, although we thought we were seeing light at the end of the tunnel. But, as in the other years, He says, “Remove your shoes, you are on holy ground.” All is His ground, and we stand back to review what He has planned. I enjoyed your recent post as I have others, but don’t see a place to Like or comment. We look forward to others.

      Like

      Reply

  11. You have a beautiful heart Frances 🙂 Thank you so much for your words. They filled my heart with gratitude, and I must say.. It felt good 🙂 God bless you with many more years for the inspiration you are to people like me….

    Like

    Reply

  13. Happy belated birthday! 🙂

    Lovely post! 😍 We are so indebted to Him for all He has done for us. 🙂

    Nice song choice by the way; as soon as I read your title, that song started playing in my head. I didn’t realize it was recorded by Merle Travis. I remember hearing the version that Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded. That’s pretty neat; now I’m curious how Merle Travis sang it. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you! Ernie Ford is the popular recorder of this old song, but we learned as I searched for the lyrics that Merle Travis wrote the song from his dad’s experience of working in the mines and recorded it before anyone. I am surprised that as young as you are you would have heard this song.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment