Heavenly Father, thank you for this time we have together. I thank You for the many blessings You’ve poured into my life, known and unknown, and praise You for the work you’ve begun in me. Quiet my mind and thoughts, that I can hear only You. Amen. Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message
5-6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
In his message last Sunday, Pastor Weiser recounted the story about Abraham in Genesis 12. God promised a nation to Abraham, and, walking by faith, Abraham and his extended family traveled to a new land from Haran, to Canaan. Living by faith in God is the only way to have a relationship with our Creator. Abraham had to leave in order to go to this new place.
I don’t like change. I just retired from a job where I worked in the same department in the college of business at UT for 35 years. The department changed titles 3 times during that time period, but Kristi was still there. Faculty were hired and some left, but Kristi was still there. Students came and graduated, but Kristi was still there. Staff came and went, but Kristi was still there.
Don’t get me wrong, this job was a HUGE blessing for me and my family, but as I leave/retire and begin to go into the next phase of my life, I find myself wondering, what next? I’m filling my time with volunteer activities, spending more time with family, and what I call “puttzing” around the house, but I’ve discovered I need a goal and some boundaries, or the “puttzing” goes on forever. J I’m finding that the days that I begin with Him have more purpose, and more joy.
As these verses in Proverbs remind me, I need to seek God’s purpose and listen for HIS voice to fill my days. I don’t always succeed, but I’m working on it. It was good to hear from Pastor’s message that I have ancestors that struggled with the same dilemma too! God promises that IF I listen for God’s voice, He will keep me on track. I’m attaching the prayer my sweet brother, Keith Knippa, prayed for me at my retirement party… it reminds me to rely on my God, not my own power… J
Heavenly Father, thank you for your immense love and grace for me. Thank you for forgiving me when I try to do life without you. Although I don’t deserve this blessing, thank you for sending your Son as a sacrifice to pay for the way I neglect my relationship with you. Please send your Holy Spirit to prod me to yearn for a life lived by trusting YOU in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
kristi
A Prayer for Kristi on her Retirement Celebration
Who is Kristi without a title, without a schedule, without a job? Teach her, Oh Lord! Show her who she is! Remind her that she is yours. Open her eyes to the beauty that is herself, and the beauty that surrounds her. Fill her arms with your compassion. Fill her mind with the vast knowledge that awaits. Fill her ears with your songs of praise. Calm her fears! Remind her that she is vital, that she is needed. Teach her to embrace her new precious freedom. Help her live this time wisely. Give her satisfaction and meaning in all that she does. Give her joy and peace. Be close to her, Lord Jesus.
Let her know that you are near. Bless this gathering, in your name we pray….. Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let this food, to us be blessed, Amen!