Daily devotion

Retirement in 3 Chapters

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Just 6 months ago my wife and I decided to finally make the decision to retire and move to Florida. She had finished her chemotherapy and was recovering her strength. The sale of our business was finalized and the transition completed. Even our kids and grandkids were urging us to make the plunge. Everything seemed so right and we moved ahead with as much enthusiasm as we could towards a new and uncertain future. For the benefit of anyone in our position or who are thinking about retirement here are three chapters we have passed through. Some days have been great and some have been stressed and even traumatic.

Chapter One… Wahoo we’re in Florida! No more ice..no more snow…no more 4-5 long colorless months of barren cold landscapes!!

Chapter Two…oh noooo we’re in Florida! It’s 1200 miles to the nearest friend or family. Everybody seems to be trying to sell us something and the water tastes like someone washed their gym socks in it!

Chapter Three… Oh I see -God has been in Florida long before we came. He knows all the answers and has called this new place our home!

No Fear in Love!

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There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18

Have you ever stopped to wonder what you are afraid of? I know I do more often than I would like. I am afraid of Dentists, flying, death and decisions. I am afraid of losing loved ones and I am afraid of being alone when they are gone. Of course none of these are reasonable fears at all by the Bible’s standards. I am just saying these are my own battles.

The Bible also tells us to pray about everything so as I was praying about my fears, God spoke to my heart with a question this morning. “Are you afraid to pray?” As I thought about that the absurdity of it hit me in the face. If I was afraid to pray then I wouldn’t be praying! And I am not afraid to pray because I remember that Jesus taught me to begin praying with the words, “Our Father.” So why would God listen to my prayer? Why would He be willing to allow me (Or anyone else) come to Him with my problems, needs and desires?

The answer is wrapped up in the mystery of the God of love and the love of God! If that very same God of love who sent Jesus to teach us to pray is interested in listening to me; how much more because of the cross of Jesus Christ will He be ready to receive me when one day we stand before His throne?

Be blessed! Have a great prayer time with your Father today. We can live without fear because when we come to Him – He will cast out all we are afraid of and replace it with His perfect love!

 

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Peace in Confusing Times

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The God who we say we serve is the God of all peace. As we prepare our hearts before receiving communion we should also prepare our attitudes before rushing off to church. When this first half of St Francis’ prayer should becomes our own then the God of all peace will meet us there and do what only He can do!

Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.