"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Although retired from full time ministry, I am still able to do bits and pieces within church circles and as I don’t now have a vestry as an office, I work from home as it were. I have an outside space to the rear of the house which is covered in and is more like a kind of canopy. During the summer months, or when it is nice, I head out to that spot, laptop, bible and phone with me, ready to do a bit of work and looking for inspiration. The things you see out in the garden from that spot is unbelievable. You see and hear the birds singing or the call of warning of approaching predators.
The biggest surprise ever for me though was just recently. I was sitting outdoors gathering my thoughts before writing, when I heard this strange rustling sound coming from one side of where I was seated. Looking over to that area there was the most beautiful red squirrel looking up at me, possibly looking for food. I thought it strange at the time for we are not out in the country but rather on the edge. I have never seen a squirrel in the garden before, so who got the biggest fright is open to debate.
The verse at the outset of this thought for the day has been with me since the beginning of my Christian experience, to the degree that when the verse springs to mind now, I know God has something else up His sleeve for me. You tend to think once you have retired all this would stop but that’s not how God works. Now and then during your working life you think about retirement and put plans together for when that time arrives. Although we may finish at the day job, God still has plans for each one of us.
If we were to go on an evangelical paper chase about retirement, we could bring in verses such as Proverbs 16:31 "Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life". Or perhaps Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ". Mind you, looking in the mirror, I’m not sure if the grey hair part is applicable to me.
As we put plans in place for the festive season, whether they be family get togethers, or working with what church has to offer, keep in mind that although we may be done with the day job, God still has a plan for us and it is a plan to show those younger than we are what we have learned in our Christian life.
Enjoy your day!
Tom Bonnar
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