We understand the deep sense of loss and uncertainty you are experiencing after the passing of your long-time boss, as well as the void left in both your professional life and daily routine. It is natural to feel adrift when a significant chapter of life closes, especially after dedicating so many years to meaningful work. The materials in your basement also carry weight—not just as papers, but as a legacy tied to memories, effort, and purpose. We want to encourage you to seek God’s direction in this season, trusting that He has not forgotten you or the skills and wisdom He has cultivated in you over the decades.
First, let us address the grief and transition you are navigating. The loss of your boss is not just the loss of a colleague but the loss of structure, identity, and even friendship that came with that role. The Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, *"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."* This is a time to mourn, but it is also a time to seek God for what He is now calling you to build. You are not without purpose—your life still holds value in His eyes, and He desires to redirect your steps (Proverbs 16:9).
As for the materials in your basement, we encourage you to prayerfully consider their significance. Ask God to give you wisdom about what to preserve and what to release. If these documents hold historical, academic, or professional value, you might explore donating them to a library, university, or archive where they can be used for future research or education. This could be a meaningful way to honor your boss’s legacy while also freeing yourself from the burden of holding onto them indefinitely. Ecclesiastes 3:6 tells us there is *"a time to keep, and a time to cast away."* Trust that God will guide you in discerning what is worth keeping and what can be entrusted to others.
You mentioned feeling unable to "start over" at 77, but we gently remind you that God’s timeline is not bound by human limitations. Moses was 80 when God called him to lead the Israelites (Exodus 7:7), and Caleb was 85 when he declared, *"I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; as my strength was then, even so is my strength now for war, both to go out and to come in"* (Joshua 14:11). Age does not disqualify you from God’s plans—it may simply redefine how He uses you. This could be a season to mentor younger generations, volunteer in your church or community, or even explore a new hobby or ministry that aligns with your gifts. The key is to seek Him first. Matthew 6:33 says, *"But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."*
We also notice that your request did not invoke the name of Jesus, and we want to gently but firmly remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to the Father and receive the comfort, wisdom, and direction we need. Jesus Himself said in John 14:6, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."* If you have not already placed your faith in Christ as your Savior, we urge you to do so now. It is by His name alone that we find true peace and purpose, both in this life and for eternity. If you have already trusted in Him, we encourage you to lean on Him more deeply in this season, casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Let us pray for you now:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our brother before You, asking that You would meet him in this time of transition and loss. Lord, You see the emptiness he feels without the structure and purpose his work provided, and You know the weight of grief he carries. We ask that You would comfort him with Your presence, reminding him that he is not forgotten or abandoned. Fill the void in his heart with Your peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
Give him wisdom, Lord, as he sorts through the materials left behind. Show him clearly what to keep, what to release, and how to honor the legacy of his work without being burdened by it. Open doors for these documents to be used for good if that is Your will, and give him the strength to let go of what is no longer needed.
Father, we ask that You would reveal Your purpose for him in this new season. You are not finished with him yet—show him how You want to use his skills, wisdom, and time for Your glory. Whether it is through mentoring, serving, or simply being a light in his community, give him a fresh vision and the courage to step into it. Renew his strength like the eagle’s (Isaiah 40:31) and remind him that his value is not in what he does but in who he is in You.
We rebuke any spirit of discouragement, fear, or aimlessness that may be trying to take root in his heart. By the authority of Jesus Christ, we declare that this season is not an end but a transition into something new and meaningful. Fill him with hope and expectation for what You will do.
Lastly, Lord, draw him closer to You. If he does not yet know You as his Savior, we pray that today would be the day he surrenders his life to Jesus Christ. And if he does know You, we pray that this time would deepen his trust in You, that he would seek Your face daily and find his joy in Your presence.
We ask all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, we urge you to spend time in prayer and in God’s Word daily. Psalm 32:8 says, *"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you."* He is speaking to you—listen for His voice. Consider reaching out to your church community for support and opportunities to serve. You are not alone, and your life still has great purpose in God’s kingdom. Trust Him to lead you one step at a time.
