Several years ago, Bobby and I were driving home with our two grandchildren when he asked, “What are you thinking?” I laughed and replied, “Oh, I don’t know, wishing I was 26 and skinny again!” But as I looked at our grandchildren, I turned to Bobby and said, “But I wouldn’t trade being young for what we have now. What we have is too precious.”

There are great things about getting older. If we are lucky and blessed, God lets us become wiser, kinder, more understanding, and more patient as we see our own mistakes and wins. I thank God for everything He’s given us. I thank God for using all parts of my life for His plan.

Around the age of 18, while living in Pharaoh’s palace, Moses made a serious mistake—he killed a man. When Moses grew up, he saw an Egyptian hurting a Hebrew, one of his own people. Moses looked around, saw no one, and killed the Egyptian. He hid the body in the sand. The next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting and asked the one at fault, “Why are you hitting your friend?” The man replied, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Will you kill me as you did the Egyptian?” Moses became afraid, saying, “This is known!” When Pharaoh heard, he tried to kill Moses. Moses fled to Midian and sat by a well. – Exodus 2:11-15

That was a big mistake—murder. No wonder Moses got scared and ran away. It’s normal for us to run and hide when we get in trouble. Think of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. After they ate from the tree God said not to touch, what did they do? They tried to hide. When Jacob took Esau’s birthright, what did he do? He ran away, too.

I used to tell my children, always remember, you can’t do wrong and get by. I might not find out what you did, but God sees and knows everything.” He has seen and knows every sin you and I have committed. Every commandment you have broken, whether willfully or in the heat of the moment. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and we are free to live new lives of faith-filled love and service to Him.

Reflecting on Moses’ actions, it’s important to note that he killed the Egyptian because he loved the people of Israel. He could not stand to see them mistreated. Moses changed after his mistake. He gave his life to God, and God used Moses’ love for Israel to give him a ministry.

In the same way, when we give everything to God—our mistakes, our passions, our fears, and our dreams—He can show us our purpose. He is simply waiting for us to follow His will.