- photo by Susan PageA title can make or break a book! Finishing Well: It happens by choice, not by chance, is an insightful book by Rev. John Garner. I love the title, and it’s a great read. I came across another book called The Final Lap by John Wyatt. I haven’t read this book yet, and while it may be good, the title is not nearly as appealing. I’m not ready to say I’m on the final lap, although ultimately, my days are in God’s hands.
The expression “I’m retired” has lost its appeal for me, mostly because it’s associated with aging. I’m aware of the passing of time, but I don’t necessarily want to focus on it. So, what does retirement mean? Does it mean we are tired, and then we are re-tired? Is it time to put our name on the waiting list for the nursing home? (I’m speaking tongue-in-cheek, of course). People celebrate stepping back from full-time work and often use the term retirement, but I prefer to say that after 50 years in the workforce, I finally graduated. What does this graduation signify, and what will be next… before that final lap?
More importantly, “How do I finish well?”
I am so grateful for how the Lord orchestrated His perfect will for my life.
After being a stay-at-home mom during those important preschool years, I was blessed to work in Christian Bookselling for 17 years. I then worked in a Christian School, followed by office administration for a Chiropractor and Dentist. During the last 20 years, I was the Church Relations Administrator for an association of churches. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet pastors and ministry teams, hear their stories, and listen to their prayer requests. Collaborating with different staff teams, with a mix of laughter and tears, was both exhilarating and exhausting. All these experiences were a gift of grace, and as I grieve what was, I will, by faith, rejoice in what is yet to be as I thank God for the memories.
God has given me spiritual gifts of mercy, discernment, and wisdom. These gifts do not cease because I left my employment. I volunteer with the special needs community, which brings me untold blessings. I love facilitating a Life Group where friends gather to dig deeper into God’s Word while growing in relationship with one another. I also find joy in writing, photography and hiking. Life will be full of new and exciting opportunities to be “salt and light” right where God has placed me. I look forward to spending more time with family and friends. This is a graduation worth celebrating.
To God be the glory!
LORD,
May we serve as an instrument of Your peace, with the vision to see the hidden hurts in others.
May we be an instrument of Your grace, with open hands and extended arms to give what we can, wherever we can, with a generous and compassionate heart.
Make us into instruments of Your love, offering forgiveness and acceptance with Heaven’s grace.
May we be instruments of reconciliation, reflecting the light of Your glory.
Make us strong and courageous, neither afraid nor discouraged, because we know You are with us.
Father, through the power of the cross, may we walk in Your ways, courageously serving You with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Help us to focus on the power of Your love and fill us with the fullness of that love.
Lord, may we, in Your strength, finish well.
Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.