Ramblings of a Cold, Chilled Man

As many of you know, I can’t stand cold, snow, or ice. Growing up in San Diego spoiled me. Debbie and I often talk about when my Kansas educational working years (10 years to go) are over, moving to the south or southwest (sorry Evan not Texas) parts of the United States where it is warmer.

I am looking forward to those winters where a cold day is around 60 degrees, where I can wear shorts 10 months out of the year. When I don’t have to worry about buses in ditches; getting chewed out by parents for not calling school off; will the school buildings have heat, and if every teacher, staff member or high school student driving to school will get there safely. I won’t miss it at all.

But if God leads Debbie and I south (except for Texas) we won’t retire. There is so much we want to do. I would like to own a donut shop. I want to cook donuts each morning at 5:00 a.m. I get up early anyway. What better way to start a day than to cook donuts to happy hungry people? I would also like to teach part-time at the university level teaching future teachers what education is really all about. Debbie has many things she would like to do.

Fulltime rtirement, I don’t believe, will ever be an option for us. We have always been on the go and just can’t picture ourselves doing nothing.

But what really bothers me is when Christians retire from fulltime service to God. As a middle-ager getting closer to AARP, I now can speak on a subject that has bothered me for years. Why do so many Christians, when they reach those golden years when they should have more time than ever for church work, decide to retire permanently from the work of the church?

I want to commend so many of our Central members that have reached those years that are still involved in so many ministry programs. We have senior saints that are involved and leading in so many good works: personal evangelism, WBS, MOPS, VBS, Bible Class teachers, Monday for the Master, mission trips, and a variety of other great outreach programs. What better example can you ever be for those younger to see you actively taking a part in the daily work of the church.

Remember retirement is never an option in the Lord’s Church. I can’t even find it in scripture.