“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

Never Retired

Since I am a retired woman I have a lot of freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I set no alarm clocks. I am no longer hurried or stressed by the duties of my day. A job no longer sucks up all my energy leaving me to return home to family depleted and weary. My children are grown and prospering. My grandchildren are adults and now I enjoy the delights of spending time with great grandchildren, taking trips, and visiting family across the country. Life is pretty sweet. Thank You, Father!

But in the midst of all this gracious wonderfulness is an awareness that I still serve my God first and foremost in all things. Serving God used to be clear and plain. I was in “ministry” and I knew what that looked like and what was required of me. Now, however, I must be more intentional and creative in looking for those opportunities God places in my path as I go through my day. Sometimes they don’t look like “ministry.” I am learning to be more aware of what He is doing at any given moment.

Here are some examples of how He has directed me recently. Picking up trash on a walking trail instead of complaining about it; giving generously to a ministry in Africa; writing a letter that testifies of Jesus to someone who sent me literature about a cult and was inviting me to join them; a conversation with a neighbor about the goodness and reality of the God she doesn’t believe in; bringing a favorite dish to a family gathering; listening to the excited conversations of little ones; taking more time in prayer; spending more time in His Word.

Each morning I ask Him to show me my purpose for this day. Overall I know my purpose is to love God and love people. It’s that simple and that complicated. But I am seeking that moment, that divine occasion in the course of my day when He shows me what He would have me do or say. He has shown me that my availability is an element of His work at this time in my life. I am available and I am willing—He does the rest. And when He places that person or task before me, I know it. It is an adventurous, surprising, and joyous way to live out this life.

Seek Him for today. He has placed you where you are for His purposes. He has called and anointed you for such a time as this. You are living out your days in the kingdom of God. It’s going to look different for each of us. It is a high privilege to be in the service of the Almighty, but nothing could be richer or more fulfilling.

“Father, open our eyes to see what You are doing in our ordinary days. Direct our paths (and our hearts) to do Your will. We are available. Amen.”