Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

• Psalm 90:7-17

“’No disease is more lethal than the boredom that follows retirement’ (Norman Cousins)”

• Charles R. Swindoll, The Finishing Touch (Devotion for week 47, Wednesday)

In Rev. Swindoll’s devotion, he talks about having a conversation with a ninety-year-old man.  He had just harvested 90,000 bushels of corn and he looked like he could outrun most thirty-year-olds.

Rev. Swindoll was not saying to never retire, just never give in to retirement.

When I was laid off, I worked hard trying to find a job so that I could collect unemployment, but this wonderful state found a loophole, or they made one.  I was only eligible after I had been laid off for four months.  Then, I got a call about a contract job.  It lasted nine months, and then they said my year of eligibility had passed.  But the severance check was nice.  And then the contract work paid well since we worked 50-60 hours per week.  I agreed to no increase for overtime hours if they increased the hourly rate.

But then, after that job and one more contract job, I faced taking retirement early.  But I started writing.  And within a year, I started this blogsite.  Maybe 13.5 posts per week on average is over doing it, but I can easily handle the workload.

But what Rev. Swindoll said and what I have seen is that a lot of people retire and then you go to their funeral six months later.  They did not keep themselves busy.  I think the mind is the first thing to go.

I wrote months ago about being lazy one morning.  I looked at the ceiling and kept praying, “Lord, please, help me.”

After a dozen of those prayers, I heard a voice, “If you do not get out of bed, you will die there.”

God gave me the motivation I needed, but how many people in retirement age laugh that voice off, and then they do not see another birthday.  And I do not celebrate my birthday other than to go on FB my one time of the year to thank people for wishing me a happy one.  That kind of celebration ends up being hard work.  I wonder if I know all those people.  Hmmm.  Let’s see.  Okay, at least more than half.

I will go home to be with the Lord on His timing, but as long as I am able, I will be writing.  And if I cannot write, I will be praising God.

I am practicing for the next life when we praise God all the time.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.