Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: STIR (11/12/15)
-
TITLE: The Big R | Previous Challenge Entry
By D. Michael Newell
11/19/15 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Facing a new experience can easily stir up the emotions and cause thoughts to go racing through the mind at a tremendous pace. It seems only yesterday that things were “normal”. Then came the realization that retirement was almost here.
Moment by moment my emotions run from excitement to despair.
Questions kept bubbling up. Do I have enough for retirement? How much is enough? What do I do if I don’t have enough?
It’s been over fifty years since I filled out a resume. Where would I start if I do have to go back to work? How do you apply for a job on-line? How much will I have to work? Is there something I can do to be self-employed? Can I turn one of my hobbies into a job?
All these thoughts are stirring around in my head. What if I can’t make the house payment? Maybe I should sell the house, and move in with one of the kids. Maybe Louise and her husband can put a small mobile home behind theirs. No that is not going to work with Robert being disabled. What are my real options?
Panhandling might work in the big city, but not here. So that is not an option.
I have more questions than I have answers. My heart says, “Trust God”. My brain tells me to be practical.
I have never been able to picture myself as retired. Sitting all day on the porch rocking back and forth has never been a dream of mine. “Wear out don’t rust out” has been my philosophy. Now, God says it is time to retire.
What does retirement mean? Sitting on a porch watching the grass grow? Or does it mean something else?
Could it mean a new direction? If so, what is it? Why am I so apprehensive about it? God has never asked me to do anything that He has not prepared me for, and helped me to do.
Is this just a ploy of the enemy to keep me from seeing what God wants me to do?
During these exciting times, I think of all the years God has been so faithful to me. Even in times of uncertainty He has always been there. So why is this so different?
I have always found joy is serving God. He has always been my faithful guide and provider. I cannot count all the ways He has blessed me: like providing housing when there were no vacancies in town; cars when I needed them; groceries when the cupboard was low; tooth care when needed; and the list could go on and on. He has poured out blessing upon blessing. Time and again He has come through. Why think He would quit now? Is it because I can’t see what He has for tomorrow?
Tomorrow may hold some uncertainties, but there are no uncertainties with God. He is immutable. He if faithful and sovereign. Yes, tomorrow is certain when it is in God’s hands.
“Dear Father, You know the unknown parts of this new path You have asked me to travel. You know that the unknown causes me worry, when I should be trusting You. Please forgive me.
“I want to trust You. I know You have never failed me in the past. I have no reason to start doubting You now. You have been faithful all these years. You have showered me with blessings that I know I don’t deserve.
“This time I am somewhat apprehensive, because I have never walked down this road before. I have never thought of myself as retiring until now. It is a new thought for me. But I had never walked down that road I traveled with the first assignment You gave me.
“I know your plans are always the best, even when I don’t understand what is happening. Help me to rest in You during this time of adjustment. Help me to see things from Your perspective. Help me to see the new ministry You have for me. In Jesus name, Amen.”
I now understand that you never retire from your vocation, only from your occupation.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Be careful about your tenses. You switch around from past to present. Also, I think some of the italics didn't feel like thoughts. Normally thoughts would be in present tense and narration in past.(That's okay to switch, but keep the narration in the same tense.) Even though this is nonfiction, I'm guessing with all those thoughts you had some body language too. Adding them creates a picture for the reader. For example:
I paced back and forth, running my hands through my thinning hair.
What if I can’t make the house payment? Maybe Louise and her husband can put a small mobile home behind theirs. Sighing, I shake that idea from my head. No, that won't work; they need to take care of their disabled son, not her parents.
Sorry if your hair isn't thinning, ;) I just wanted to show how you can balance thoughts with body language.
Your opening paragraph is about people in general. Personally, I became more invested when you started talking about how you felt. I'm not sure you needed that opening. You did show how you were dealing with a conflict right off the bat. Usually, conflicts are focused on in fiction, but I think you did a great job of showing how in real life we also deal with conflicts. That makes the article interesting for me. I found myself right in the mix of it all. I also liked how you included the prayer. This is a great piece how God cares so much about things we care about. You did a great job.
On comment about this line: .. God says it is time to retire.
I don't know if God ever says it is time to retire. More often he says it is time to change activities. He wants us to keep something before our minds and heart. I think you hinted about this when you mentioned using a hobby.
God will provide the activities if you are looking for them.
Nice writing and good thoughts.