One year into retirement - some reflections

It’s about a year ago now that I went with early retirement, due to suffering from chronic fatigue. Looking back, I can see now that during the last years of my active ministry I have been burning up my last resources, not willing to admit how much I struggled both emotionally as well as physically to hold it together so to speak. The indicators were there already mid-2010. Yet the LORD by His grace sustained me to continue. I am thankful for this. To Him be praise and glory for all that He gave to continue my active ministry still for two more years.

So how has the past year been? My wife and I are enjoying this new period in our life tremendously, having more time for each other and also for children and grandchildren. We also enjoy bringing visits within the communion of saints, comforting and encouraging fellow members amidst the trials they go through. I try to do this also via Facebook.

I thank the LORD that during the past year I still had the privilege of preaching on Sunday. My wife and I travelled twice to Cairns to be of support to the congregation there. I could lead another marriage enrichment camp, and also fulfilled quite a few speaking commitments. In all these things the LORD grants me still so much.

Health-wise there also is improvement, especially over the last two month. Mid this year I suffered a bit of a setback. Yet lately I really seem to be on the mend. The fatigue still plays up, yet less than before. Another reason to thank God for what He gives.

Two weeks ago we moved into Byford territory. We will be living in a rental for a year, whilst a new house is built for us. We thank the congregation of Southern River for looking after its retired minister so well. Even though we have asked for our attestation to Byford, the bond with Southern River will remain.

As for what lays ahead, only the LORD knows. Daily we may live out of His fatherly hand. That’s sufficient to know. In that knowledge, nevertheless we still may make plans. That’s how the Lord willing in three weeks’ time my wife and I hope to travel to The Netherlands, after 29 years once more celebrating Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere.  If all goes to plan I also hope to take my wife to Paris, celebrating her birthday there just with the two of us, whilst on the way back to Australia (in February) we hope to spend five days in Vienna. We look forward to this break, knowing also that things can change in a moment. After all, we all are only one heartbeat away from eternity.

This last sentence is not meant to be gloomy. Instead the joy of faith is that on this earth we are only pilgrims on our way to a better homeland. That’s how we may life our life step by step: homeward-bound, sustained by grace to the glory of Him to whom we belong.

Praising God’s never ending faithfulness, His mercies new every morning!

My wife and I are really starting to enjoy retirement. I took a while to adapt to a new chapter in life. Yet looking back upon the last three months, I can see how good it was to ask for early retirement. With the pressures of the active ministry gone now, no longer any deadlines to meet, being more in charge of your own time, I feel that my health slowly starts to improve. At present, it is only small steps, but we thank the LORD for each small step. There are days that I have energy again, no longer feeling tired throughout the entire day. It feels good to do things again, to be active again, even though it is still in small time slots.

So, what have I been doing thus far. In view of the fact that in due time we will be moving to a smaller house I have been cleaning out my study, throwing things away which I no longer need. Going also through all my books, trying to sell almost two-third of them. Thus far, quite a bit has been sold already. Yet there are still lots of books, which I try to get rid of. Feel free to drop in to see if there is anything, you would like.

I also have been preaching again a number of times and I really enjoyed it. I pray that the LORD will continue to give me strength to be active in this wonderful task, if possible even more regularly.  It remains the highlight of the ministry, even in retirement.

Helen and I are also looking forward to go to Cairns for four weeks, where I will be preaching and helping with some pastoral support to the house congregation over there. The trip has been booked and the Lord willing we hope to be there from March 22 – April 17.  If all goes according to plan, I also hope to run a marriage enrichment camp over there. Some have wondered whether I don’t take on too many things too soon. Yet, it’s work I like and it’s better to do things than to sit still and do nothing.

So, retirement really starts to get shape. If the Lord gives health and strength, I hope that I can remain active this way by helping out in some of the vacant churches, perhaps even running the occasional marriage enrichment camp for couples who would like to organise such a camp. After our return from Cairns, I also hope to start writing a daily, a book with meditations. Over the last weeks, people have come up with various suggestions. Yet in view of the many marriage enrichment camps, which I have run, I would like to write a devotional for engaged and married couples. I due time I hope to keep you up to date how this is going. The other book with 26 sermons on "Learning the Alphabet of Faith" will be in the bookshop by the end of September, the Lord willing.

Meanwhile, Helen and I also enjoy it that we have more time now for children and grandchildren. Just recently, we have been a week to Albany to catch up with the children there. Summing it all up, we thank the LORD for this period in our life. How great is His faithfulness and then to realise that we don’t deserve anything of this, is all received by grace alone. Therefore to God alone be thanks and glory for what He gives us each day anew.