Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

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Reflect

SERVICE: WE ARE NOT DONE YET!

I know that many who read this are not of the retirement age, but many are and others look forward to that day. These are some thoughts that I wrote some time ago before age interrupted my travel and work.

“We all look forward to retirement at some period in our lives. Many retire by choice while others may be forced to retire because of health or other situations. But does this mean that we sit down and quit?’

In a recent survey by AARP Magazine, 70% of older adults feel they are in good health. So why shouldn’t we continue to do those things that make us happy and that help others? By the year 2050, there will be 600,000 individuals in this country who are more than 100 years old. So what are you going to do from the time of normal retirement (65-70 years) until you reach 100?

We’re told in Genesis 7:6 that Noah was 600 years old when he entered the ark that he had just finished building. Talk about working past retirement age!

I sold my dental practice in 1998, stayed around a short time to introduce the new owner, then I never looked back, not turning my back on a profession I loved and that was good to me, but wanting to move on to something new. Think you can’t do that? Just try and you will be surprised.

Being raised on a farm, I learned the values of work at an early age. I don’t want my children to have to do that kind of work but I wanted them to be exposed to good work ethics. What can I work at and how long should I pursue it? In Genesis 3:19, God told Adam that he would work “all his life.” Some of my most happy moments as I have gotten older have occurred when I was on a work trip, abroad, in another state, in my state, or in my community. To see a young mother take care of my tools each night so I wouldn’t have to carry them back and forth as I worked on her small house in Mexico, made me able to trust more. To be able to help people in Colombia following the earthquake and see their joy and appreciation even though our lives could have been in danger, was rewarding. To head up a work group to Miami to work on the church, and to listen to stories of horror and need in their native Cuba, will long be remembered. As I do some work with Church Women United’s Clothes Closet, I realize that, but for God’s grace, any of us could be as homeless as many of them are. As my retired group of men meet for breakfast once a week, we discuss and put into action how we can help with shut-ins, a widow, or a single person with repairs to their homes, cars, or other needs.

In Mark 14:7, Jesus said we will always have the poor among us, and they need our help badly. Just listen to some of the people of all ages who have been on work trips helping the poor. Why should they have all the fun, enjoyment, and fulfillment? So sign up for some of those things because “We’re not done yet!”

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Pray

Lord, give us the strength to continue to share our thoughts, wisdom and experience with others in need. Help us to stay active and involved to the extent that even we are surprised by what we can still do. In your name, Amen

Go with God!