“And when the
chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away.” (1 Peter 5:4 KJV)
When one considers
the future, it doesn’t need to be cloudy or bleak. Several months ago, I began
thinking about retirement and quickly became depressed. I mean really, golf
loses its appeal when golfing is all one does. Fishing isn’t as relaxing when
one has nothing else to do. What was I going to do in retirement?
the future, it doesn’t need to be cloudy or bleak. Several months ago, I began
thinking about retirement and quickly became depressed. I mean really, golf
loses its appeal when golfing is all one does. Fishing isn’t as relaxing when
one has nothing else to do. What was I going to do in retirement?
Evidently I had been
showing signs of depression for some time because my wife, Bobbie, asked me to
get some counsel. Since as a veteran I can receive counseling at any VA clinic,
I called up the nearest one and made an appointment.
showing signs of depression for some time because my wife, Bobbie, asked me to
get some counsel. Since as a veteran I can receive counseling at any VA clinic,
I called up the nearest one and made an appointment.
After a few minutes
of questions, answers and conversation the Counselor said, “Mr. Smith, you
are as normal as they come. At your age it is normal to consider your future
and what retirement might be like. I am sure you are not contemplating retiring
anytime soon, but I would suggest that you begin thinking about and planning
for what you are going to . . . not what you are retiring from.
of questions, answers and conversation the Counselor said, “Mr. Smith, you
are as normal as they come. At your age it is normal to consider your future
and what retirement might be like. I am sure you are not contemplating retiring
anytime soon, but I would suggest that you begin thinking about and planning
for what you are going to . . . not what you are retiring from.
His words were
catalytic. I shook hands with him and left his office jubilant that my thought
processes were normal. His words had rejuvenated my resolve to prayerfully
consider what the next phase of my life might be like. What would I do after
retirement?
catalytic. I shook hands with him and left his office jubilant that my thought
processes were normal. His words had rejuvenated my resolve to prayerfully
consider what the next phase of my life might be like. What would I do after
retirement?
Another
consideration: how will we finish this phase on the way to retirement? Consider
the carpenter whose contractor asked him to build one more house before turning
in his tools. The carpenter agreed, but his heart wasn’t in his work. He did
shoddy work and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his
working life.
consideration: how will we finish this phase on the way to retirement? Consider
the carpenter whose contractor asked him to build one more house before turning
in his tools. The carpenter agreed, but his heart wasn’t in his work. He did
shoddy work and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his
working life.
When the employer
came to inspect the house, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter.
“This is your house,” the employer said. “My gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building
his own house, he would have built differently.
came to inspect the house, he handed the front-door key to the carpenter.
“This is your house,” the employer said. “My gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building
his own house, he would have built differently.
So it is with us. As
we consider the next phase of life, let’s continue to do our best in this
phase. Someone said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” All our
tomorrows are built on all our todays. Attitudes and choices form the framework
of the life we will live tomorrow. Build with integrity! Build faithfully!
we consider the next phase of life, let’s continue to do our best in this
phase. Someone said, “Life is a do-it-yourself project.” All our
tomorrows are built on all our todays. Attitudes and choices form the framework
of the life we will live tomorrow. Build with integrity! Build faithfully!
Dear Father, thank
you for your grace and mercy. Empower us to build our lives with integrity and
loyalty. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your grace and mercy. Empower us to build our lives with integrity and
loyalty. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today as you build your next phase,
courageous today as you build your next phase,