Retirement? What’s That?
Through the years, I’ve had several secular jobs. From each, I tried to learn both social and physical skills and, in some positive way, use them to reach some level of success. But with time comes change, and while the “know-how” of many of these past jobs remains, the ability to perform those tasks has passed. That lesson itself is still being learned – and it isn’t easily accepted!
The same is true of preaching the gospel of Christ. If God allows me to live through August of this year, it will have been fifty-nine years since my first attempt at preaching. I still have that handwritten sermon in my files. It took less than ten minutes to present! Now, most sermons last at least half an hour, and presently, no less than four lessons are prepared and presented each week. Further, writing several biblical teaching articles each week occupies a great deal of time. Then there are the visits that are so enjoyable, the challenging conversations, and the inevitable “emergency calls” that have become commonplace. It’s all part of preaching, and this is NOT a complaint!
Through the years, brethren have been quite generous to me by asking me to come and preach in their pulpits. I’ve preached in gospel meetings in eight different states. I lost count years ago of the number of congregations in West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois that have allowed me to be a part of their proclamation of Christ and Him crucified. I have no idea how many hundreds of souls have become much more than acquaintances: they are dear friends, and truly brethren in the family of God. They remain the epitome of brotherly love!
During the past fifty years, five churches of Christ have asked me to locate with them and work “full time” as their preacher. I’ve always said, “They hired Nancy and let me preach,” and I still believe that fact! Yet, those places were “home” for several years each. For these past twelve years, Orleans has been our “family,” and our love for them grows deeper each day!
While I have no designs on “retirement,” I must admit that some changes in my life must be made so I can, by the grace of God, continue preaching at least locally. I’ve reached the time in life when staying away from home is quite difficult. It has nothing to do with the gracious hospitality of the brethren who have hosted me through the years. Those comforts have been tremendous! But I must admit the time has come when I’m much better off (health-wise) to preach where I can be home at night and rest in my own bed. If they desire, I’m quite willing to preach gospel meetings close to home and do what I can to help those souls strengthen their faith and ready themselves for judgment.
This decision has its saddening consequences. It means I will not likely see again those precious souls who are quite dear to me, but live so far away from me. No, that doesn’t stifle our communications, and certainly not our love for each other. But it does limit the opportunities to see each other face to face. It also means the memories of those wonderful experiences will now be just that – memories. Thank you all for creating such marvelous ones, upon which I reflect frequently.
Rest assured, I’ve no designs on “retirement.” That’s a lesson I never learned, and frankly, when it comes to preaching, I have no desire to learn. If God permits, I pray to preach more by writing, by teaching others the scriptures, and if they are willing, to teach young men the value and need to preach. I most certainly pray that these loving brethren at Orleans will permit me to continue preaching. If they choose to find another to do this work, I pray they will simply let me join with him in continuing to do what all preachers do – preach! All Christians preach by the way we live before others. We all must preach the truth in all we say and do! Yes, some of us have been blessed to do that far away from home, and I’m grateful. But now I am blessed to do that here to the best of my ability. And for that, I am also grateful!