While I was still working, I looked forward to being retired...
My head would swim with ideas:
Cruises! Vacations to places we have been and loved; or never been and wanted to visit! Trips to visit our family - and friends!
Spending more time with our grandkids - our kids as well; whether just to "hang out" and enjoy being together, playing card and board games, watching games (ball games, of course!), or just watching the kids play. Or, taking those vacations and trips with the grandkids.
Even spending more time with my friends, scrapbooking; meeting for lunch or dinner or just a drink; and more scrapbooking and crafting.
And there are always those days to stay home and do what I want; even if that means sitting around in my pj's all day, watching TV, reading, writing or whatever!
Well, getting sick and being let go from work and being in the hospital and no benefits and no savings...all of those incidents put a damper on any of what I had envisioned retirement to be!
Instead of working longer to grow the 401(k) or savings, or make other plans, I retired on disability earlier than expected. At least I have a "steady income", though social security benefits don't exactly go very far for us!
With a little planning, and doing what I am able to do instead of those things so far out of our budget...yes, I can have that retirement!
And, that "place" is right where God needs me to be...whether to help my daughters with their kids; or doing what I want to do; or being available for my husband with whatever happens in the future...I am where I need to be.
And, I am embracing where that is and what it looks like for me and my family.
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI applaud you as a full-fledged HOPE Ambassador. Life truly does not end up like we think it should and yet there is always HOPE as we embrace that God is doing deep in our lives. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Blessings!
Karen
http://www.karensebastian.com/hopegrams
Thank you so much, Karen! The words flow as I am pondering the prompt for the day (using the Five Minute Friday "Free Writes" has certainly made life much less stressful this year!); and I don't make promises about it taking "only" five minutes to write!
DeleteAppreciate your kind words and your "applause"...I never thought myself being a HOPE Ambassador; yet, I guess that is how I am viewing my life at this point...praying God uses me for His good! I am not perfect; just one of His children!
I love this! Thanks for the reality check :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting, Kari!
DeleteI love your attitude. EMBRACING where you are is a conscious choice to be content if not always happy and it's so HEALTHY and in line with what the Lord wants for us!
ReplyDeleteYes, Shelby...to be "content"; that is the word that was used in our scripture this morning! To be content - to embrace the "what is"...
DeleteThank you for reading and commenting!
Best quote! "that "place" is right where God needs me to be". We find such peace when we submit to that idea, right? Great reminder, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! Appreciate your reading and commenting!
DeleteYou are adjusting well to your change in circumstances. I wish I was, but I am by myself and SSDI just won't do it. Trying to figure out now what I will do when dad passes on. We won't have the house to sell. He did a reverse mortgage and is financially not doing well so no inheritance of any kind to fall back on.But I figure God has a plan, just wish I knew what it was now so I wouldn't worry so much.
ReplyDeleteOh, Tessa! I am so sorry to hear this...I worked in a bank and never could understand how those reverse mortgages worked; it just didn't seem like a good thing for the home-owner. I pray for you and what is to come...God does have a plan for you...and it will be better than you could imagine. But, in the midst of our circumstances, we do find it hard to see what His plan will be.
DeletePut your trust in God! And I will continue to pray for you!
That Elizabeth Gilbert quote is so wonderful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Tara...I loved that also! Thanks for reading and commenting!
DeleteHow lovely that your free write is so positive and God-centered. What a great attitude you have and how blessed your family much be to have your example and retirement (b/c you can be around more)..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! I pray I do have a great attitude in life; and am blessed to have the time with my family...I know I spend "way more than 5 minutes" on these posts; but just want the words that come to make sense!
DeleteAppreciate your reading and commenting!
This is inspiring! I love that your post is peppered with exclamation points -- not just in the beginning, when you describe your fabulous retirement dreams, but also in the end, when you are so transparently excited to be finding your place in God's perfect will. Gives me goosebumps! Bless you, for embracing all the changes in your plans to make room for His.
ReplyDeleteI wrote yesterday on my journey to accepting changes in plans... I'm not quite as close to embracing as you are, but I'm working on it. :) Thanks for the encouragement!
P.S. My toddler loves the graphics in your blog. Especially "bird! blue! bird! blue!!" <3
Oh yes, Sarah Marie...I guess I DO use a lot of those exclamation points! It's my way of showing that excitement...some days it isn't as easy to embrace the changes; and I know more will be coming at some point. But for now...
DeleteWe all grow in strength and everything else with God in different ways and periods of time. I'm a bit older than you are (64 yrs old!), so I've had loads of time ahead of you to get there...and yet, I still have a long way to go!
Glad your little one loved the blue bird! Just came from watching two of my grandkids, the 2 youngest, 1 and 2 years old! Love 'em! Give yours a hug!!
I love your heart, my friend. You have such a positive attitude. It makes me want to complain less and embrace where I'm at in this season of life. As I grow older, I'm learning that life always looks a little different than we imagined, but if we trust God, he always gives us the best. Sometimes I'm a slow learner. :)
ReplyDeleteYou humble me, my friend! I would not say that I have (or always have!) a positive attitude; although, I do try!! I need to complain a lot less; and I need to share a lot less of the struggles I am in - especially financially...sometimes I feel people are "paying my way" to events and things because they "feel sorry for me"?! But, I don't THINK that is how they see it? I just sometimes feel I share too much?!
DeleteAppreciate your reading and commenting!