Do Retirement Right
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)
My friend Maynard lived a good life. His skills and love for life were clear to anyone who knew him. Maynard was so good with machines, I bet he could repair a tractor with his eyes closed. He could bake a homemade pie without a recipe. A deep belly-laugh would always follow one of his signature practical jokes. Yes, Maynard loved living.
He and his bride Ruby Ann lovingly cared for his Keezletown homestead farm for many of those years. Maynard likely dreamed of spending his retirement years with his two greatest loves: His farm and his Ruby Ann.
Maynard knew he would need to sell the farm one day, so he had plenty of time to prepare. Ruby Ann’s cancer, however, caught them completely by surprise. In a few short years, both of his loves were gone. No farm and no Ruby. His vision of retirement was quickly falling apart. How would Maynard respond? Would he give up and give in to loneliness? Or would he keep seeking an abundant life?
We know him because Emily’s family sat across the closing table when the farm changed hands. When they signed the papers, Maynard made one simple request, “May I come back for the next few months to tend my garden? I am known for my tomatoes.” We soon found out that he was right about his tomatoes, and that the best relationships are formed over BLTs. Conversations are better after a hard day’s work.
Emily‘s family increased in size that summer. For 16 years, Maynard visited the farm several times per week and was always willing to lift a helping hand, or to bake an apple pie. He truly lived out his retirement in a way that was meaningful to him and in a way that greatly benefited the new family.
His last day on earth many years later was sudden and unexpected. It was also filled with the things he loved most: hard work, close friends, and good food.
Maynard knew that he needed community to have a fulfilling retirement. God did not intend us to live in isolation. Maynard found community in his new family, and he found a sense of satisfaction and well-being by teaching and caring for them.
Retirement should be spent with people you love. Your retirement needs community.
What steps will you take today to plan a retirement that fills you up with joy and brings smiles to the people you love?
Lord Jesus, help me to love deeply the people who are in my life right now. Help me to pour into those relationships, without expectations of getting anything back in return.
