Since I can remember my life has been a jumble of activities, pursuits, goals, dreams, aspirations, projects, relationships, responsibilities, disappointments, failures, triumphs, emotional highs and lows of indescribable proportions, and much much more.
Most of these different aspects of my life have to come a pause, or an end. And I’m ok with that.
I’ve spent the best past of my life wanting to excel, wanting to please others, or have them at least like me. I’ve also spent a great deal of time pursuing what God would have me speak or teach in the next bible lesson, sermon, devotion, funeral, wedding, or prayer. And at times my spiritual life looked exactly like this picture as well.
About 4 weeks ago as I embarked on the garage storage project I’ve written about recently (see the blog if you don’t know what I’m talking about), I was also finishing up a 13 Week Bible Study on Getting Back to Basics. The study was a conglomeration of many different studies I’ve done over the years. And in the process I very clearly heard God’s Spirit urging me to do my best because this would be the last series of lessons I would teach.
I didn’t really know how freeing that message could be. But it was. It is time for me to “Be still and KNOW that God is God.”
The message also included a very clear path to understanding that my garage project would be my last major pursuit in woodworking. Having held tools and worked with wood since my early 20’s this too was something of a shock… in a good way.
Anyone who has ever worked with wood knows how it takes strong hands to hold the piece that you are working on properly so that the cuts are straight, and for safety so that you don’t hurt yourself or someone else nearby. My hands have aged well. I can still hold the wood firmly. But when I finished every day’s tasks, I realized how my hands ached. And how it took me longer to recover than when I was 20,30,40, 50… well you get it.
Some relationships over the years have slowly dwindled away. Since I retired in 2016 the staff work at a church has gone away. Some of my friends have died, some have gone incognito. And it is all good. I married my best friend, so I’m good.
What I look forward to these days is the uncluttered life. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know exactly which two people will be on this journey with me. My loving wife, and my blessed Savior-Jesus. So, I’m good. And getting more uncluttered day by day…
As I was saying... 
Although our work on earth is never done…until it’s done…I get it. You are still doing His work. Every time you hand that envelope over to that waiter or waitress, you are still doing His work. Every time you teach that grandson about Jesus, you are doing His work. Jesus blessed people BIG in very small ways. So do you! You are still doing His work.
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That’s very kind and very sweet of you sis! I love you.
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