I’m grateful that I’m finally free, no longer bound to a desk, no longer worried about work responsibilities. Even when going on vacation, I could never really let my job go.
I’m grateful that my career has come to an end. When you are young, it’s hard to imagine working for forty or more years.
I’m grateful I was able to save money for retirement.
I’m grateful I left my job in good hands.
Work was a large part of my life, but it wasn’t my life.
I retire expectantly.
I look forward to retirement.
I’m excited to have more time for leisure. I’m excited to have more time for whatever I want to do, for whatever the Lord wants me to do.
For the first time in decades, I feel like a kid on summer break.
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
The first thing I do when I get fantastic news is thank God. (If I don’t do this first, I really should.) I received long-anticipated, good news just this week. When I get good news, I want to share it.
I told my boss in September that I plan to retire in March. My job is compex. I had hoped that my replacement would be in place by the first of January, so he or she could work alongside me through the entire year-end process. That did not happen. The work can’t wait, so I have carried on as usual.
Here’s my great, amazingly fantastic news. A few weeks ago, my boss told me he interviewed a promising candidate. This week, he told me she starts on February 19th! Even better, she has experience in the industry and was recommended by a colleague.
I still have four weeks to train my replacement. Yesterday, I agreed to consult for three to six months to ensure a smooth transition.
Good news comes with emotions. Gratitude. Joy. Excitement. Relief. A burden has been lifted.
As a follower of Jesus, I have good news to share. The gospel literally means good news. Here is my great, amazingly fantastic news, good news that brings me joy. The burden of my sins was borne by Jesus. He replaced me on the cross.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
I need a permanent break from being tied to my desk. I need a permanent break from the deadlines and demands that come with my job as an accountant. Federal information returns (1099s) are due at the end of January. A major regulatory filing deadline is March 1st. State tax filings are due between March 15th and April 15th. Meanwhile, the annual audit begins.
This is the last year I have to go through this stressful time of year. This is my last busy season! I have considered retiring before, but this year, I’m finally doing it. Woo hoo!
Yesterday, I got the good news that my replacement has been found. She will start in a couple of weeks, which leaves four weeks of training time.
The next several weeks will be busy and stressful. I will get through it just as I have before.
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
Leisure is an important topic for me to consider as I approach retirement. I don’t want to spend too much time sitting around doing nothing.
I have to admit that I already spend too much time watching television, often while also reading or playing games.
TV watching is the number one leisure activity in the US, but watching too much of it is not healthy. I found an article that lists 30 activities you can do instead of watching TV. I won’t list them all, just the ones that appeal to me.
Birdwatching
Cooking and baking
Crafting or art projects
Gardening
Hiking or walking
Journaling or blogging
Volunteering
Putting puzzles together
Reading a book
Meditation
Crafting/art projects: When I have the opportunity to do art projects with other people, I have fun. I crocheted years ago. There is a knitting/crocheting group at my church that I could join. I do not think of myself as artistic, but I think I would enjoy painting.
Birdwatching: Instead of just watching from my window, I may take my binoculars and combine it with hiking or walking. I will also continue to take pictures of wildflowers.
Cooking and baking: I did almost all the cooking for the first 25 years or so of our marriage. It became just another chore. My husband started cooking and baking when he retired, and he enjoys it! He has also made it clear that he appreciates my help. I’ve been doing some baking for church funerals and cooking for monthly potlucks.
Reading: These days, I mostly read articles online. I read the Bible every day. I want to visit my local library and get back in the habit of reading just for fun.
Gardening: I like to plant flowers and don’t even mind weeding. We don’t have much of a growing season here, but it might be fun to grow some vegetables and herbs.
Volunteering: Today, I find volunteer opportunities at church and with my running club. After I retire, I would like to volunteer with my husband at a to-be-determined charity.
Puzzles: I have always liked jigsaw puzzles. My husband and I have talked about doing this activity together. We just have to keep the cats from helping!
Blogging: I would like to be a more consistent blogger, as I have been this month with the help of daily prompts. When I go weeks without writing, I am wasting an opportunity to express myself and share my thoughts with others.
Meditation: My interest in meditation is as a practice of spending quiet time with God. This month, our pastors introduced us to the practices of Lectio Divina and the Daily Office. Both disciplines involve prayer and quiet time.
When I first read this prompt, I thought it was just another question about hobbies. But it has helped me envision how I can spend my time meaningfully when I retire. Rest and relaxation are important for the body, mind, and spirit.
Lord, when I began my career, it seemed like I would be working forever! Yet the years have flown by. Thank you for letting me know it was time to retire. There are so many things I can do with my time. I pray that you will lead me to the right volunteer opportunity. I also pray for the spiritual discipline to spend more of my time resting in your presence.Amen.
June 1st marked the end of my first year working part-time after thirty six years of full-time employment. As I considered retirement, I read that I might want to tiptoe in instead of jumping right in. I’m glad I did. I still like working, but at this stage of my life, I want more free time and less stress.
Working part-time has given me the flexibility I wanted. I can participate in group Bible studies during the work day. I can take advantage of good weather to hike or trail run. I can volunteer. It’s easier to schedule appointments and to run errands. But honestly, one of the greatest pleasures is starting each day more leisurely.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
If I had searched for part-time work, I doubt that I would have found anything comparable. I had actually told my boss that I intended to retire early. He was the one who suggested that I consider working part-time.
God knows what I need. He knows what makes me tick. He knows that sometimes I need a nudge in the right direction. In retrospect, I can see his hand guiding me.
Thank you, Father for loving me and for working things out for my good.
Innermost Being 