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.
