While other people were busy packing boxes and moving things around, Katie and I worked on a craft project, which I bought at Hobby Lobby. We were so proud of ourselves when we completed it! Katie is very crafty!
Meanwhile the two boys did so much work, toting that barge and lifting that bale…
At bedtime Katie said, “Daddy and Uncle Wheelah did so many things. How could two guys be SO strong?” Indeed. We are also working on the OM’s office and reorganizing the basement. Daughter #1 is incredibly decisive–throw it away!–which I appreciate.
Well, today the prairie girls head home and I get back to work on my to-do list. What are you up to?
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
Yesterday I received my Williams College Alumni Magazine–the one with the class notes–and I took a look. I always used to enjoy reading the class notes of the really old guys, the WWII vets, but they are mostly all gone now. So I checked on the class notes with the people I know, who graduated in the 1970s, expecting the usual list of exotic travel destinations and ski and golf outings. Those were there but also quite a few quadruple by-pass operations and cancer diagnoses. Lots of grandchildren, but also news from those still waiting to be grandparents. I sensed the mood was not quite the usual upbeat drumbeat of the privileged 1%-ers.
And then there was one guy I knew back in the day who mused about why he is continuing to work full time:
Amongst my cohort of docs, retirement is the hot topic. I have pushed on; throttling back to a degree and adopting a little ‘fire me and make my day’ attitude…Tapering and keeping a little income flowing now seems right. Packing away my geriatrics skills, simply quitting work, makes me feel somewhat selfish. Am I rejecting the gift of work with selfish intent or battle fatigue? I await direction from God or physical incapacity. Will I miss out on the bucket-list life by keeping on? I don’t see it that way. If today is my last day, I’ll carry a heart of thanks.
Well, well. And well said, sir.
(This is not to say I don’t understand the desire to retire. I myself am retired and, yes, still feeling some battle fatigue. But I get what he’s saying.)
It seems appropriate to remind ourselves of this famous sermon by John Piper: Don’t waste your life!
May I hold forth the way of Jesus with my temper as well as my tongue, with my life as well as my lips. May I say to all I meet, I am journeying towards the Lord’s given place, come with me for your good.
So yesterday I was allowed to go to my flyover university office on campus and retrieve my computer and other needful things that I have been doing without for six months (while using my personal laptop at home). Thinking I would be back in a couple of weeks, I left some plants in my office when I vacated the office back in March and they were (of course) all dead. I packed up a few files and such and brought everything home and lugged it inside and set it up.
And, oh boy, I had forgotten how great a big screen is! Anyway, I guess we are telecommuting for the long haul, i.e. the end of the year.
Sigh.
But here’s something to cheer you up if you need it:
Sigh. I’m sure we all need it.
Loving God, you want us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Protect us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
dual personalities 