postaweek2012 – Page 2 – Susan's Reflections

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Tonight, October 31, children across American will don costumes and take to the street to collect candy from their neighbors in the annual celebration of Halloween. As a Christian, I have struggled with whether Christians should (1) celebrate Halloween, (2) ignore Halloween, or (3) partake in an alternative activity, such as a Fall festival. I have given this much thought over the years and have decided that for me, as a Christian, providing a wholesome, safe alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations is most in line with my beliefs.

As a child, I looked forward to Halloween only because I received lots of free candy. Our family was never put up elaborate decorations or tried to scare young children. We simply dressed up and collected candy from our neighbors, then came home to examine our loot and start eating it.

When I hit my teens, our church began offering an alternative event to Halloween. Children were permitted to dress in “nice” costumes and were treated to an evening of fun, games, and food. It was basically like going to a party. I enjoyed these Halloween-alternative events more than our past tradition of walking around the neighborhood to get candy. As an adult, I have helped to put on many such events at my church.

Jon and Matt in costumes — My boys have always loved to dress up in costumes.

Halloween isn’t all fun and candy, however. There is a distinctly dark aspect of Halloween. Witches, ghosts, and goblins are displayed throughout neighborhoods. Horror films abound on television. Haunted houses are erected. This scary, evil part of Halloween is what makes many Christians object to the entire celebration. They feel the day glorifies Satan, while at the same time teaching children that Satan is a fictional character. If the scary parts of Halloween are make-believe, then Satan probably is make-believe, also. Unfortunately, Satan is very real and he is using every opportunity to deceive people and keep them from believing the truth.

So, why then, would I as a Christian support and participate in any events on October 31? Psalm 118:24 tells us, “This is the day that the Lord has made.” Every day belongs to God. We have not been instructed to give over even one day to Satan. Therefore, I will not be silent on October 31. I will not ignore this day. By offering alternative celebrations, I believe we reclaim October 31 as a day belonging to God.

Additionally, by offering an alternative to children, we have the opportunity to provide a safe environment for children to have fun. Children need to see that the Christian way of life is not a life of restrictions but rather a life of opportunity and freedom. Jesus came “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) We are trying to introduce children to the freedom and joy that comes from making Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Having a event on October 31 is one way to do that.

Our church will host a Trunk or Treat event tonight. Along with candy, children will participate in games and be fed dinner. They will also get a brief introduction to Jesus Christ. We will not be celebrating Halloween. We will be celebrating the Creator of the Universe–the one who makes October 31 possible.

How will you honor God this day?

Preparing for the Storm

I got an unexpected day off today as the Eastern seaboard prepares for Hurricane Sandy, the latest storm to head our way. At a minimum, Sandy will bring with it a lot of rain and high winds, which is what we expect in the greater Washington, DC, area. Power outages are also likely. Those more directly in Sandy’s path will experience stronger winds, more rain, and flooding. As the path of a hurricane is never certain, a wide region must prepare for a possible onslaught.

Although our area doesn’t expect to experience the worst of Sandy, most of us have prepared by stocking up on bottled water, nonperishable food, and flashlight batteries. We’ve made sure our pets are safe and protected. We’ve cleared debris from around our sump pumps and secured outdoor furniture that might become projectiles in strong winds. Most government agencies and many business have closed for the day and most likely will remain closed tomorrow.

If the storm does not come our way, we will feel a great deal of relief and thankfulness. Thanks to oft-maligned weathermen, we have had many days warning that Hurricane Sandy might head our way and those caught unprepared will have no one to blame but themselves.

Unlike storms of nature, storms of life hit us with no advanced warning. We are going happily about our life when suddenly we are hit with a storm that wrecks havoc in our life. It might be the unexpected death of a loved one or a diagnosis of cancer after a routine medical screening. It could be the loss of a job or the loss of a dream. We typically don’t have an advanced warning of these types of storms, but we know that we will all face them from time to time.

How can we prepare for these storms? I prepare by putting my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with us and guide us through life’s storms. “I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16, NIV) As we call on the Holy Spirit, He comforts us and guides us through the trials, or storms, or life.

I awoke this morning with the old hymn The Solid Rock running through my mind and I’ve been singing it all morning. The chorus says, “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”

I am truly thankful today that no matter what punch Hurricane Sandy throws at us, my feet are firmly planted on solid ground. With Jesus Christ as my Savior, I have nothing to fear.

Are your feet planted on a firm foundation today? If not, I pray that you will look to Jesus as your solid rock.

The Solid Rock

Lyrics by Edward Mote, 1797 – 1874

Music by William B. Bradbury, 1816- 1868

My hope is built on nothing less,

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the vale.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

Welcoming Home A Returning Hero

On my recent trip to New Orleans, I was seated beside one of our military heroes as he flew the last leg of a very long trip home from Afghanistan. Sam had been away from his family for a year, serving with an Army unit. His trip home had taken him from Afghanistan to New Orleans by way of Africa, Germany, Indianapolis, and Atlanta over a period of 36 hours. He was exhausted but willing to talk to me about his family and his life in New Orleans.

Sam’s military service qualifies him as one of America’s heroes. He put his life on the line to protect our freedoms and defend our nation. Additionally, Sam is helping to rebuild New Orleans while realizing the American dream and supporting his family. Sam has been able to purchase damaged homes, renovate them, and rent them. He is building a future for his children while helping to rebuild his home town.

I enjoyed my visit with Sam and looked forward to witnessing Sam’s reunion with his family after his long absence. So I was disappointed to learn that Sam was sneaking into town unannounced. He planned to surprise his family by suddenly showing up at home. I’m sure it was a great surprise and that his family was delighted to have Sam home. However, I couldn’t help but feel that Sam had denied them the great pleasure of waiting excitedly for their first glimpse of him as he made his way through the airport.

Many years ago I waited at the Savannah airport with my mother, three sisters, and little brother as Dad returned home safely from Vietnam. It is one of the best memories of my life. Even now, forty-four years later, there are tears in my eyes as I recall that joyous day. Dad had left home 13 months earlier and served in Saigon during the TET offensive. Although we were in elementary school, my sisters and I couldn’t escape the daily barrage of news on the war in Vietnam. We were aware that he was in harm’s way everyday and there was nothing we could do except pray for God’s hand to protect him.

Mom received word of Dad’s homecoming a day before he arrived home. I think he had called her from Hawaii to let her know he was on his way. She tried to keep the news a secret from us, but we noticed her whispering to the neighbors and figured out that something was up. Mom soon realized that we feared something was wrong and told us the wonderful news. Shortly afterwards, Dad called from California. It is impossible to describe the joy I felt as a nine-year old girl upon hearing Dad’s voice for the first time in more than a year. There was little sleep in our house that night and in the morning we piled into our station wagon to make the trip to the airport.

In 1968 airports were not equipped with the security systems now in place. We stood behind a chain-link fence and watched as Dad came down the steps of the plane. Then we raced into his arms. It was so wonderful to have our Dad home.

Dad could have chosen to surprise us, as Sam did and as many fathers are choosing to do these days. I’m sure we would have been just as thrilled to have him home. But we would have been denied those glorious hours of anticipation, knowing that he was on his way home, and the pure joy of watching him step from the plane.

Thanks, Dad, for your service. You deserved the hero’s welcome you received from your grateful family. And Sam, thank you for your service. Thank you for making the sacrifice to serve your country thousands of miles from home and those you love. I hope your homecoming was as special and joyous in its own way as my father’s was so many years ago.

My New Orleans Top Ten

I’ve just returned from my first trip to New Orleans. I was in New Orleans for the annual conference for the Association of Small Business Development Centers. My husband accompanied me. Due to attending conference sessions, I didn’t have an abundance of time for sight-seeing, but we made the most of the time we did have.

I’m sure that everyone who visits New Orleans comes back with different favorite restaurants, night clubs, and tourist attractions. These are my top ten, not in order of favorites, as ranking them would be too hard, but rather they are in the order in which I experienced them.

1. Parasols Restaurant. We stumbled on this hidden gem quite accidentally. After settling in our hotel room, Steve, my two co-workers, and I set out to see a bit of the garden district. We caught a trolley and then a bus to reach the district. We strolled around for about 40 minutes admiring the large, well-maintained houses before deciding we needed nourishment. We headed for the first restaurant we saw. Unfortunately, it was closed. A local man advised us that we should go “one block down and two blocks to the right” and we would find a great restaurant. It doesn’t look like much, but they serve up delicious food in ample quantities. I had my first New Orleans gumbo and gravy cheese fries at Parasols.

Pedicabbie Mark Orfila–Mark is a friend of my brother and was a wonderful guide

2. Pedicabs–After dinner we returned to our hotel and decided to stroll over to RiverWalk. It was closed, but we encountered our first pedicab driver. Steve and I hitched a ride to Jackson Square. Pedicabs aren’t the cheapest way to travel in New Orleans, but they are the greenest and a great way to enjoy the city. We utilized the pedicabs several times over the next three days. Each pedicab driver was polite, friendly, and truly loved his/her job.

3) Mule-Drawn Carriages–We have occasionally taken tours on horse-drawn carriages, but this was our first experience with carriages pulled by mules. Our tour guide explained that the climate is too hot and humid for horses; mules, however, cope quite well. We thoroughly enjoyed our 30 minute tour and learned some interesting facts about New Orleans.

4) Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz PlayHouse–We spent two evenings enjoying the wonderful musicians showcased at Mayfield’s. The first evening we listened to Jason Marsalis (brother of Wynton and Ellis). Jason is an amazing drummer; his pianist and bassist were excellent. The pianist had actually composed a few of their numbers. The next night Mayfield’s own band NOJO Jam Session played, minus Irvin Mayfield, unfortunately. They were also amazing. We skipped Mayfield’s on our final night, but my co-workers went and said James Rivers was their favorite performer. They stayed through all three sets and thoroughly enjoyed their evening. The food at Mayfield’s was also quite good.

5) Oceana Grill–Located just off Bourbon Street and across from the Royal Sonesta Hotel, Oceana Grill offers great food at very reasonable prices. We shared appetizers of oysters Rockefeller and barbeque shrimp. Steve had a fried seafood platter, while I ate redfish with crawfish mushroom cream sauce. I loved every bite. Their desserts were very tempting, but we were beyond full.

6) Royal House Restaurant–On our last night, we asked our pedicab driver to recommend a restaurant and he took us to Royal House. Although everything we ate in New Orleans was delicious, the dinner at Royal House was definitely our ultimate dining experience. We started with oysters royale and sautéed crab claws. The crab claws were our favorite dish of all that we tried in New Orleans. I wished I had asked for a spoon so that I could have enjoyed every bite of the wonderful sauce. For dinner, I had the crawfish and crabmeat ravioli (recommended by our pedicab driver) and Steve had shrimp creole. Again, both dishes were fantastic. We really didn’t have room for dessert, however, the bananas foster cheesecake was calling to us. It was truly delicious, but I was too stuffed to properly enjoy it.

7) Frenchmen Street–Much quieter than Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street has plenty of nightlife to offer. We strolled the street, listening to the music emanating from the many bars and restaurants. Most venues did not have a cover charge but do ask that you purchase drinks and tip the band. For the price of two drinks, we sat for quite a while in The Maison and were treated to the vocals of a very talented singer with a wide range accompanied by three musicians. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name of the group. We were happy to leave a generous tip for the band on our way out.

8) Street performers and artists–From Jackson Square to Bourbon Street to Frenchmen Street, we were constantly treated to street performance and performance art. On Bourbon Street, we enjoyed a troupe of street dancers. Jackson Square was filled with artists displaying their paintings, musicians performing jazz and blues, and performance artists pretending to be statues. On Frenchmen Street, we happened upon a community of artisans displaying their crafts late in the evening. One craftsman made art and jewelry from forks, knives, and spoons. Others displayed sewn or knitted items or paintings. If I had brought an extra suitcase, I would have been tempted to get a lot of my Christmas shopping done early. I did buy a few small items that I knew would fit in my crowded luggage.

9) Jackson Square–We spent a lot of time at Jackson Square. The mule-driven carriage begin their routes there and artists and musicians abound. There is also any number of great restaurants and shops. We ate at the Rivers Edge and Cafe Dumond. Both were very enjoyable. We enjoyed the shops and made a few small purchases. Additionally, there is easy access to walk along the river at Jackson Square.

10) The French Market–It is a combination flea market and farmer’s market. We enjoyed seeing the various products for sale in the market. From produce to sun glasses to art, there was a little bit of everything. I particularly enjoyed a photographer’s beautiful scenes of the French Quarter and purchased a photography of the Court of Two Sisters restaurant on Bourbon Street.

As you can tell, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to New Orleans. These are my top ten favorite places and things in the city. If you’ve been to New Orleans, what did you most enjoy?

Football Passion, “Sports Hate”, and Loving Your Enemy

Just prior to the Houston Texans inaugural season in 2002, Sports Illustration wrote an article that opened with, “When I was born the first thing my mother said to me was ‘You hate the Dallas Cowboys.'” It was a quote from a fan of the newest NFL team. His mother had been a fan of the Houston Oilers before they moved to Tennessee and were renamed the Titans. Despite the team’s move, this fan and his mother continued to hate the Dallas Cowboys. They were delighted that professional football was returning to Houston.

My son read the article and then asked me, “Was that the first thing you told me? ‘You hate the Dallas Cowboys'” I responded that it was not the first thing, but it was something that I said to him soon afterward and often. The Cowboys are division rivals of our beloved Redskins. Our hatred is not limited to the Dallas Cowboys; we also hate the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants for exactly the same reason.

Football fans are a passionate bunch who wear their loyalties proudly. Some paint their faces, while others paint their bodies. Packers fans wear cheese-shaped hats and refer to themselves as CheeseHeads. Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels, while Saints fans hold signs reading “Who Dat?” The Redskins’ best known fans are the Hogettes, a group of men who wear dresses and hog noses to each game.

With such devoted fans, it is to be expected that emotions run high during games. Sometimes this passion carries into everyday life, and fans start to hate not only their biggest rivals, but also fans of their biggest rivals. I have a friend Larry who is a passionate Dallas Cowboy fan. We attend the same church and enjoy ribbing each other. One week Larry’s daughter overheard her father say that he hated me. Larry’s daughter is one of the girls I teach at church and one of the lesson I teach is to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27, 28) Larry’s daughter was horrified that her father could hate her teacher. Of course, Larry quickly explained the difference between ‘sports hate’ and real hate and that he only hates me when it comes to football.

Occasionally passionate sports fans get confused between ‘sports hate’ and real hate. When this happens, frustrated fans tend to take out their disappointment on their sports enemies, better known as the other team’s fans. This type of violence is not limited to football fans.Tragically, this happened last year at Dodger Stadium when a Giants fan was badly beaten on the opening day of the baseball season.

As a new football season begins, I hope that all football fans will remember to leave the tackles and blows to the players on the football field. Cheer your favorite team on with gusto and passion, but remember when the game is over, it’s time to treat your enemies with love and respect. This year let’s modify the words of Christ to say, “Love your football rivals and treat with respect to the fans of the teams who compete against your team, bless those whose teams outscore yours, and pray for those fans who taunt you after a victory.”

Handling Disappointment with Class

On Tuesday, the Washington Redskins cut Chris Cooley, despite Cooley being one of the most loved members of the team. Like many, many other Redskins fans, I cried as Cooley, choking back tears, said goodbye to the fans whose cheers of “Cooooooooooley” have rocked FedEx Stadium.

In saying goodbye, Cooley displayed great class and provides a great example for others who face disappointment, particularly job loss. Four major themes that echoed through his farewell speech were gratitude, lack of bitterness, best wishes for those who let him go, and a hope that he might one day return.

1) Be grateful for the opportunity. Cooley had a rare opportunity to play football in the NFL. Many boys dream of that but few make it. Cooley expressed his thanks to the team, the media and his friends. He recognized that, “This organization has changed my life in every way for the better, and I appreciate it.”

2) Allow no bitterness or hard feelings to cloud your feelings. Cooley made it clear that while he was very disappointed in the team’s decision, he is not bitter about it. He recognized that the coaches had to make the best decision they could for the team. He expressed that as, “There’s really no hard feelings from me….I’ve trusted everything that they’ve done and everything that they want to do, and even though I’m not a part of that today, I still do believe in what they’re doing.”

3) Wish your former employers all the best. Cooley has been the heart of the Redskins for the past 8 years and his passions for the ‘Skins will not end just because he is no longer playing for them. He expressed his good wishes by saying, “I can’t tell you how much I think of this staff and the players on this team. I’m thrilled for what they can accomplish and I wish everyone here the best.”

4) Leave the door open for a future relationship. Right now, it appears likely that Chris Cooley will never again play for the Washington Redskins. However, the future is not certain. Football is a sport where trades abound and cut players are re-signed when another player is injured or fails to live up to expectations. Cooley left the door open to return by not burning his bridges. He also expressed the hope that he might return, when he said “so today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin.”

My husband faced a similar situation four years ago when he was laid off from his job. He too acted with great class. He thanked his employer for the opportunity to work for him for five years, he was never bitter toward his former boss, he hoped and prayed for his boss’s success, and he let his boss know that he was open to returning to work there when the company’s situation improved. Consequently, he was rehired more than three years later.

I don’t know what is in store for Chris Cooley. I can only hope and pray that one day the Redskins will realize they still need Cooley. I long to hear the chants of “Coooooooley” from the faithful fans of the ‘Skins. In the meantime, I wish Cooley great success on whatever team picks him up. And after his football days are over, I wish him continued success. Chris Cooley is a class act and we would be wise to follow his example when we are faced with disappointment.

For those who would like to read Chris Cooley’s farewell speech, the full text follows:

“The Washington Redskins are releasing me today, so today, for the time being, will be my last day as a Redskin. It’s been awesome. I’ve been very, very fortunate to play for a franchise that has embraced me and for a fan base that has embraced me the way that they have. This organization has changed my life in every way for the better, and I appreciate it. I’ve loved every minute of playing here, and it’s been a good run. It’s been a pleasure. I guess, for me, I’ll take some time and decide what I want to do moving forward. I have every belief that I can play football. I have every belief that I can be not only a productive player but a starter in this league. I’m very confident in my abilities to continue to play the game. It would be a tough decision for me to put on another jersey. It’s something that I really never had to imagine, so for now, I’ll take some time and make sure what I do in the future is exactly what I want to do.

“Again, it’s been a pleasure to be a part of this team. I’m so excited for the group of guys and the coaches that are here this year. I think that there’s a lot in store for the Redskins. I think the future’s awesome. [His phone rings – “Now I feel bad.”] I can’t tell you how much I think of this staff and the players on this team. I’m thrilled for what they can accomplish and I wish everyone here the best.

“There’s really no hard feelings from me. I’ve had good talks with Bruce Allen. It’s been – he’s been great. I talked to all the coaches, and it’s OK that – it’s OK with me the direction they’re moving. Since Bruce and Mike have been here, I’ve trusted everything that they’ve done and everything that they want to do, and even though I’m not a part of that today, I still do believe in what they’re doing.

“I want to thank all you guys. Our media has been so, so good to me. I appreciate everything. [Chokes back tears] I’m sorry. I’m a baby. I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I guess, finally, just to say thank you to our fans [voice wavering] … it’s been great. Thank you.”

Overlooking the Obvious

I can take no credit for the following story. It’s been around for many years and a guest speaker at church repeated it recently. It is a great example, however, of how we can get so rapped up in what we are doing that we “miss the forest for the trees.”

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine, they lay down for the night, and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. “Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.”

Watson replied, “I see millions and millions of stars.”

“What does that tell you?” Holmes asked.

Watson pondered for a minute. “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all-powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?”

Holmes was silent for a minute, then spoke. “Watson, you idiot. Somebody has stolen our tent!”

May this story be a reminder to us all to pay attention to the details but to also look at the bigger picture of what is going on around us.

“How Can I Help?”

“Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” Romans 15:1-2 (The Message)

I came across this verse in my devotions yesterday. In the New King James Version the verse read, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.”

Of course, I’ve read this verse many times before as I’ve studied the book of Romans, but yesterday it really grabbed my attention. I think it was “scruples” that popped out at me. It seemed an odd word to be in the Bible, and in fact, the King James uses the word “infirmities.” At any rate, my curiosity was piqued and I pulled out a few other translations to see how they put it.

These verses were a reminder to me that God commands His people to look around them to see how they can help their neighbors. From the story of the Good Samaritan, I know that my neighbor is any person God puts in my path. I need to be watchful for others who need a hand and offer mine. The needs may be spiritual, emotional, physical, or financial. God doesn’t expect me to solve everyone’s problems, but He does expect me to offer service to those He brings to my attention.

The popular Bible teacher Bruce Wilkinson (author of The Prayer of Jabez and The Dream Giver) personalizes this question to open doors of opportunity to help others without interferring where he is not wanted. When he feels the Holy Spirit impressing upon him to offer assistance to someone, he approaches them and simply asks “How may I help you?” It is direct and to the point. Often the person’s first reaction is to deny needing his help. When Bruce persists, they open up and share their problems. Sometimes God directs Bruce to meet the need immediately by giving the person money; other times God direct Bruce to provide godly counsel; and occasionally Bruce simply prays for the person. Bruce based his approach on the example of Elisha the prophet in the story of the Widow’s Oil (2 Kings 4:1 – 7).

The key to being of service to others is to be open to the nudge of the Holy Spirit that a person in your vicinity is in need and God is going to use you to help in the situation. I urge you to pray that your heart will be attuned to the nudging of the Holy Spirit to assist someone in need today. As you look around, ask “How can I help?”

If God has directed you through the nudging of the Holy Spirit to recognize and assist to a person in need, please consider sharing your story as a means of encouraging others.

Learning to Accept and Embrace Change

Change is something I rarely seek and often resist, but lately God has been working on me to accept and embrace change. I’m not speaking about change that arises from boredom or the desire to do something different, but meaningful change. Changes that leads to a better way of doing things or spiritual or emotional growth is productive and healthy. But, it so much easier to stick with what we know than it is to change.

Amidst several staffing changes at our church recently, my pastor said to me, “People see change as bad. Change isn’t good or bad. It’s just different.” I don’t think he was saying that because he felt I was resisting the changes that had taken place; however, I do believe the Holy Spirit inspired him to make that comment to me at that time.

I know that he’s right and that the changes that took place were God ordained, but I would have preferred that things had stayed the same. I liked the people who moved on to other callings and I couldn’t envision our church without them. While I still miss them, I have accepted that God had a plan and His plan is best. Those who moved on are ministering in congregations that needed them and new leaders are being developed from members of our congregation. Those particular changes have provided new opportunities for growth in leadership for members of our congregation. The new leaders have stepped up to the challenge and God is blessing their work.

I think some of my resistance to change has its roots in my childhood. Growing up as the daughter of a Marine, I attended 6 different elementary school in four different states. Just as we settled into a new home and a new community, Dad would get orders and we’d be off again. My sisters and I would have to get accustomed to a new school and make new friends. I was constantly saying good bye to old friends. Of course, each move allowed us to meet new people and make new friends. God used these moves to bring people into our lives that lead our family to Him and helped us grow. He also used those changes to help me quickly become comfortable in new situations and taught me to reach out to those who are new and make them feel welcome.

I know that changes that God initiates are for His glory and my growth. I trust that God loves me more than I love myself. The changes He wants for me will help me to become more Christ-like and to draw closer to God. I want to not only accept those changes but learn to embrace and celebrate them. My ultimate desire is to honor God in all that I do each day and I can only do that as I allow Him to change me and my circumstances to conform with His will. I don’t know what changes God has planned for me in the coming months and years, but I fully trust Him and know that those changes are for my ultimate good.

A Well-Deserved Retirement at the Age of 80

Last week my father retired for the second time. His first retirement was back in 1979 after serving 26 year as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was 47 at that time. He never considered his military retirement to be a true retirement from the world of work. He was far too young and had far too many obligations. Three of his nine children were in college and another was a senior in high school. The youngest of the bunch was only two.

His first attempt at a second career was selling life insurance. It wasn’t a great fit, as it required meeting with potential clients in the evenings and weekends. Dad had spent much of his military career away from his family and he wasn’t willing to sacrifice any more family time. After a year of selling insurance, the perfect job opportunity became available. Mary Washington College (now the University of Mary Washington) was expanding its offerings of business courses and starting a business department. Prior to joining the Marine Corps, Dad had trained to be a teacher. After a tour in Vietnam, Dad was given the opportunity to earn an MBA. He was a perfect fit for the new department of business and was the first instructor hired.

Last week Dad completed his teaching duties at University of Mary Washington, although his official retirement date is a few weeks away. Dad also turned 80 last week. After a career spanning 59 years, Dad is certainly deserves to enjoy a leisurely retirement. However, it is unlikely that he will sit around idly. He’ll spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cheer on the Washington Redskins and the New York Yankees. He will also continue to do taxes for the many friends who have depended on him for many years.

Many people have asked why Dad continued to work well past the normal retirement age. I always respond, “It keeps him from having to help Mom with the gardening.” The truth, however, is that he continued working because he enjoyed it and it kept him busy and engaged. Working with college students helped keep Dad young and active. It allowed him to interact regularly with his peers and young people and to keep up with changes in our society and in technology.

Working past the normal retirement age is nothing new in our family. Dad’s grandmother was irate when she was forced to retire from working in the textile mills at the age of 72. My mother’s mother was a victim of mandatory retirement when she was forced from the nursing job she loved at the age of 65. In the 1960s and 1970s, many capable adults were compelled into retirement at the age of 65. In 1978 the mandatory retirement age was increased to 70 and in 1986 it was abolished altogether.

I am thankful that the laws have been changed, allowing healthy, vigorous seniors to remain active in the workplace as long as they desire to keep working and as long as their employers feel they are continuing to contribute positively to their companies. I am grateful to the University of Mary Washington for giving Dad the opportunity to continue teaching for as long as he wanted. No one at the University ever suggested that he was too old to continue teaching. The university supported his decision to keep on teaching until he felt he was ready to retire.

I am very proud of my father’s contributions to protecting our nation and educating our young people. He has touched many lives. I pray that he enjoys a long and productive well-deserved retirement.

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