Terri's BlogChristian perspective on today's issues.

FREE TO GOOD HOME

That was the title on my wife’s Facebook page.  “Older, failing eyesight and hearing, limps occasionally. Not a picky eater; usually comes when called, but if he’s got his nose in something he will ignore me.  He will fetch the Sunday paper and bring my slippers if I sweet-talk to him.  He also makes a mean pot of coffee and brings me a cup almost every morning.  Answers to Mike. His retirement just isn’t what he thought it would be.”

I’m just kidding. She didn’t really post that, but I wouldn’t put it past her not to.  She has a very keen “sick” sense of humor.  I had better say I’m kidding about that, too. However, there is a lot of truth in that description of me.

I began retiring about 5 years ago, looking forward to playing a lot more softball and golf, improving my slalom skiing skills, and finally gaining ground on a growing honey-do list. It hasn’t turned out that way.    Not. Even. Close.

Oh, don’t misunderstand me – God arranged my retirement, putting some awesome Christian believers in my place!  It’s just that My plans didn’t fit God’s plan.  Instead of all that physical activity I’ve become dormant, inoperative, immobile, etc., due to severe back problems.  I’m not looking for pity, and PLEASE do not send me any cures! It’s all in God’s hands, and in God’s unquestionable wisdom it was the only way to get me back on His roadmap.

Here’s my point in this: you won’t find the word RETIREMENT in the Bible.  That’s because while we are on this earth God has something for us to do. Something that will in some way help a lost soul find Jesus; something that will help deepen a believer’s faith; something – anything – that will bring Him glory.

I’m passing along to you part of a Facebook post (real, this time) from a very dear friend in North Carolina.  She writes some of the most beautiful praises to God that you’ll ever read, outside of the Bible.  The scriptures at the end were part of her post.

She wrote: “The older I get I find that life as I’ve known it and the path, I’ve walked is all of a sudden quickly changing.  So many things I can no longer do, but I know that God has something in store for me!  He will reveal to me what my next step will be!  I know He has a path laid out for me and as long as I follow His leading and place my hand in His, I can trust He will take me there.”  (Did I say this lady is 85? And she still looks joyfully to hearing and doing His Will!) “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more.” Psalm 16:11 NKJV.    “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” Proverbs 19:20 NKJV.      “For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.  They flourish in the courts of our God.   Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare “The Lord is Just!  He is my rock!”  Psalm 92:13-15 NLT

She’s a blessed lady, and we are blessed to read her shared wisdom.

She’s doing God’s Will and finds great joy in it.  We can, too.  We are all put on this earth for a purpose, and we need to be about it.  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For EVERYONE who asks, receives. EVERYONE who seeks, finds.

And to EVERYONE who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8.   You know what?  I’m enjoying my life, even though it wasn’t what I had planned.  Crazy, huh?

Thanks, God.

 

In His service, and yours,

Mike Jared
TCM Board Member