Hi David. My newest adventure is creating a bird sanctuary in my backyard. It’s hard work, and I am learning a lot as I go along…a lot about myself and a lot about birds and their different characteristics and needs. I’ve had a bad habit of taking on too many projects, and then not carrying any of them to fruition. So I am determined with God‘s help to finish what I’ve started, little by little, one step at a time, like Jesus said to Martha ‘just one thing is needed.’
I journaled quite profusely after my husband died. Part of one poem has given me the determination to press on: ‘I am not dead. I am alive. God has ordained me to flourish and thrive.’
Thanks so much for this series. In 2022 I retired after 40 years practicing neurology not really knowing what sort of turns late life could take but seeking God’s guidance in service to His body. In February I was ordained to the vocational diaconate and have discovered that it is still a day by day seeking and unfolding. I think the Lord has been using your wise words to help me focus. Thank you. Thanks be to God.
Thank you David - I couldn't agree more. As Elizabeth and I have moved into retirement, we are taking on new challenges while supporting our children by watching the grandchildren and spending family time together. We are still physically active and remain curious about all that is around us.
Thank you David. Having climbed Mt Nebo and Mt Sinai I now live in a CCRC. My world has become smaller. This message is an inspiration to me to remain interested and curious.Praying that the Lord will give me fresh eyes and ears attuned to those around me. Increase in me Lord the desire to be a Moses.
Our culture has embraced the life of the rich farmer who kept building bigger barns in order to live at ease at the end of his life. My parents and many of my peers say, "I raised my children, now it is time to raise yours." The message comes across as, "The sacrificial time of my life is done." Such a contrast to Paul's words to the Corinthians:
"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." (2 Corinthians 5:14-5) Whether it is mentoring younger people in the faith (so many come from dysfunctional families and desperately need encouragement and support) or being available to one's own family, there is loving to be done.
Thank you for the reminder of how Moses climbed Mt. Nebo at 120 yrs old, “yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.” I used to be an avid runner but over time my knees started hurting and 6 years ago I was advised by a physician to switch to walking. I’ve never found that as satisfying or as much of an accomplishment as running but I don’t want the wear and tear on my knees that results from running.
I can’t even imagine Moses climbing Mt. Nebo from Moab at his age, being allowed to see the promised land yet not be able to cross into it. The Bible doesn’t tell us much more except that he died in Moab. Sometimes I think it’s the number, 70, that makes me feel old but possibly it’s an attitude adjustment that’s needed!
Hi David. My newest adventure is creating a bird sanctuary in my backyard. It’s hard work, and I am learning a lot as I go along…a lot about myself and a lot about birds and their different characteristics and needs. I’ve had a bad habit of taking on too many projects, and then not carrying any of them to fruition. So I am determined with God‘s help to finish what I’ve started, little by little, one step at a time, like Jesus said to Martha ‘just one thing is needed.’
I journaled quite profusely after my husband died. Part of one poem has given me the determination to press on: ‘I am not dead. I am alive. God has ordained me to flourish and thrive.’
Thanks for helping me fly over well.
Thanks so much for this series. In 2022 I retired after 40 years practicing neurology not really knowing what sort of turns late life could take but seeking God’s guidance in service to His body. In February I was ordained to the vocational diaconate and have discovered that it is still a day by day seeking and unfolding. I think the Lord has been using your wise words to help me focus. Thank you. Thanks be to God.
Roland, this is a wonderful comment. I am honored to be part of the voices and words God is using to help you focus.
Blessings!
Thank you David - I couldn't agree more. As Elizabeth and I have moved into retirement, we are taking on new challenges while supporting our children by watching the grandchildren and spending family time together. We are still physically active and remain curious about all that is around us.
Thank you David. Having climbed Mt Nebo and Mt Sinai I now live in a CCRC. My world has become smaller. This message is an inspiration to me to remain interested and curious.Praying that the Lord will give me fresh eyes and ears attuned to those around me. Increase in me Lord the desire to be a Moses.
Yes. Reach out. Stay close to people of faith.
(What is a CCRC?)
A good example of this was my mother-in-law. She lived to be 100 and never stopped being interested, active, and engaged.
Our culture has embraced the life of the rich farmer who kept building bigger barns in order to live at ease at the end of his life. My parents and many of my peers say, "I raised my children, now it is time to raise yours." The message comes across as, "The sacrificial time of my life is done." Such a contrast to Paul's words to the Corinthians:
"For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." (2 Corinthians 5:14-5) Whether it is mentoring younger people in the faith (so many come from dysfunctional families and desperately need encouragement and support) or being available to one's own family, there is loving to be done.
Thank you for the reminder of how Moses climbed Mt. Nebo at 120 yrs old, “yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.” I used to be an avid runner but over time my knees started hurting and 6 years ago I was advised by a physician to switch to walking. I’ve never found that as satisfying or as much of an accomplishment as running but I don’t want the wear and tear on my knees that results from running.
I can’t even imagine Moses climbing Mt. Nebo from Moab at his age, being allowed to see the promised land yet not be able to cross into it. The Bible doesn’t tell us much more except that he died in Moab. Sometimes I think it’s the number, 70, that makes me feel old but possibly it’s an attitude adjustment that’s needed!
Thank you, David.