Those are the words that came to my mind as I thought about our newly retired life. My husband and I have settled into retirement, and I realized that for the first time, we have no barriers in front of us. We have always worked hard in our jobs and lives. We’ve raised a family, built a home, figured out the money in lean times, and cried over schoolwork. We’ve run marathons and skied down black diamonds (the latter by mistake). We’ve cared for our aging parents and said our goodbyes. Our jobs are no longer objects of stress. And our health is good, even though we are older. All of those late nights, working, praying, and worrying over the next to-do thing have all disappeared. We have never had this much time with nothing pressing on us and no distractions. Ever.
We can breathe a little easier, but it feels different too. That’s when it occurred to me. This is a gift from God. In His wonderful and indescribable mercy, grace, and love, God has given us this time just to be. It is a gift of time; a gift to reconnect without distractions; and perhaps time to become a little wiser with age too. This gift comes with no strings attached; it isn’t earned or deserved; and that is what makes it so wonderful.
It is a gift to get to see and experience God’s goodness.
It also reminds me of a meme I recently saw that said, “One day it will be your last day at (fill in the blank), and you won’t even realize it.” All of those ordinary days making dinner or hanging out with friends feel like they will go on forever, until one day you’re not even aware it will be the last time you walk out and close the door behind you.
I don’t know how long we’ll have this gift of undistracted time. Only God, as the giver of all good things in His infinite wisdom, knows the answer to that question. But for now, I’ll accept it with open arms. I’m absolutely excited about the opportunity of my gift.
What kind of gift will God show you today? I hope it is one that brings you immense and memorable joy.
How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11b)
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