My Last Post

Well, not necessarily my last post, but my last post for a while.

Let me explain. Tom and I retired as of May first from 12 years of full-time ministry. Before that, for 38 years, we built a life. We got married, had children, bought a house, worked, and made relationships. We were founding members of a CMA chapter and founding members of our church. We built a life.

I would have called it a purpose-driven life. Retirement raises the question, “What now?” What is our purpose now?

A series of articles, random quotes, a friend’s newsletter, and of course, a few relevant scriptures have brought me to the following conclusions.

Our life was purpose-driven, but it was also obligation-driven. People were counting on us, whether it was our children, our employer, or a friend. We met those obligations to the best of our ability.

Retirement does not have to be purpose-driven, and it is, thankfully, no longer an obligation-driven life. We set no alarms. We don’t have to be anywhere unless we have a doctor’s appointment or a haircut. We go to bed when we want, get up, and eat when we want.

Does that sound lazy? It’s not. It’s the reward for years of hard work and commitments met. It is the completion of life’s obligations. We raised our family, took care of our parents, stayed out of debt, completed the tasks we felt were our responsibility, saved a little money for retirement, and above all, we tried to finish well.

I am reminded that God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. Perhaps retirement is the seventh day, the Sabbath Rest we all work toward.

For the next six weeks, I will be taking a Sabbath Rest. I know; we are just getting started! I will be spending some pre-planned time with my family, and keeping up with Kathchats during this time would be particularly difficult.

Please don’t forget about Kathchats. I will be back at my desk in late July. I will be thinking of new topics to explore and seeking God’s direction for me, and for Tom and me as we explore what it means for us to have a Season of Sabbath Rest.