I looked forward to retirement. Really I did! Freedom! And it happened - slowly in a
sense, moving from full time to part time to casual and finally to naught.
But I must admit - every once
in a while - I miss the hurly burly of the work-a-day world. My current retired life is lovely, having
filled it sensibly with family, travel, volunteering, hobbies -livin'
the dream! some might say. But
just now and then I miss things like -- winning the job posting, accomplishment
resulting from the effort of doing a job well, being sponsored at seminars and conferences, the
camaraderie of co-workers, the make it or break it, do or die, climb the ladder
of success type of challenges. Vacations and long weekends had more meaning.
Volunteering in the community
and in church related ministry is what I'm doing now. It's all good, it's fulfilling and of true and eternal value (I trust).
And yet these thoughts come to me, unbidden... what is it that pulls towards - yet pushes against – what
I have, what I did have, what I am doing, what I could be doing career wise? Occasionally I even consider
brushing off my resume (but usually the thought of the interview process
squelches that thought!). And so I ponder and write down my thoughts not as a complete essay, but as an observation.
Contentment is great
gain. Am I content? This is a new season of life and every season has its
challenges - every beginning - every ending - so having some qualms is not unexpected. Talking to friends about mentoring recently, I realize that it would be great to have a mentor through the challenges
of this stage of life, a purposeful relationship that friendship doesn't quite attain.
Did I mention missing the
commute?! What fun is there in watching the traffic jam on morning TV news while having
coffee still wearing my housecoat when I could be out there in the thick of
things?!
Now that I've thought about it
... yes, overall I'm content ... but still just every once in a while...
Is it
just me?...
But
godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1Timothy 6:6-7)
2 comments:
You can have my job!
Haha Jen.
You're missing commute? I think rush hour pics on tv are practically a sport when its no longer personal... long live the retired housecoat wearers!!
Great contentment.
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