"Grace for Every Mile" (Day 9)

Verse of the Day
 “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. — 2 Timothy 4:7-8


I was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, and grew up in the small town of Easton. My early school years were spent in a one-room schoolhouse where all eight grades learned together. By the time I was in seventh and eighth grade, I was the only student in my class. Later, when I entered Easton High School, I realized I was behind. It took time and effort, but I caught up. That season taught me persistence—and contentment with a simple life.

In high school, I met Nina, the love of my life. Not long after college, I entered the Air Force. Over the next 20 years, our family moved often—Bangor, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Indiana, California. The constant change wasn’t easy, especially for our children, but it built resilience and broadened our lives.

One of the hardest moments came at age eighteen when my older brother was killed in a tractor accident. His loss marked the end of my childhood. In that season, faith became more than a tradition—it became a lifeline. Wherever the military sent us, we stayed connected to worship and chaplaincy. Prayer and quiet trust carried me through grief, uncertainty, and the demands of service.

Later, I became a pilot, then after retirement flew commercially and opened a flight training school. For decades, I helped others pursue their dreams. Even now, at ninety-four, I thank God for every mile and every memory.

This year marks seventy-four years of marriage to Nina. The key has been simple: respect, patience, kindness, and choosing to stay together through every season.

If life has taught me one lesson, it is this: be patient—with people, with circumstances, and with yourself. Don’t carry bitterness. Let things go. At 95, I’ve seen a lot. God has been faithful through it all. It’s been a good flight. – John Trask


Thought for the Day
Where might God be inviting you, in this season of your journey, to practice patience and trust instead of holding on to frustration or bitterness?

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