Next Step Devotional Thought
This week during our New Day Cafe morning show we were "Navigating Mid-Life." Mid-life can creep up on you, slipping in new emotions, family changes, financial struggles, and even spiritual re-assessment that you never before anticipated. Many may not ever think about "mid-life" until they have arrived. That very thing happened to our morning co-host, Martin Houston, who during our planning meeting suddenly exclaimed, "I just realized! I'm in mid-life!"
So take a seat and strap on your seat belt as we navigate of few of the "mid-life" mile markers covered during our morning show this week:
1. What about Retirement?
Retirement is often a word conjuring up hope filled day dreams of lazing mornings, resting in the sun on some tropical island far, very far, away from the stresses and strains found in the day-to-day grind you currently face. But is this ideal Biblical? What does God have to say about retirement? Retirement in itself is certainly not a bad thing, as the Lord includes many things about the importance of rest from our labor (Mark 6:31, Ecc. 5:12) However, storing up riches in our barns and packing up our life to fulfill our own idealized sense of ease is certainly not in line with God's Word (Luke 12:16-21)
Have you ever thought about retirement as a new opportunity to serve Christ? Have you thought about all that you could do to invest in the Kingdom of God with eight additional free hours each day? This week Don Hawkins of Southeastern Bible College spoke with a gentlemen who took this approach to retirement, seeking out opportunities to serve Christ and landing as a full-time servant with the Marketplace Chaplains USA Ministry.
When dreaming of retirement, let God's Word be your guide when Jesus taught, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
2. The Empty Nest Syndrome
You've spent the last 20 years of your life with nearly every thought, decision, and dollar focused on your children. They've grow up and are "leaving the nest." Now what? So many mothers and fathers face this very question, encountering a bundle of emotions ranging from excitement about the possibilities of a new future to feelings of grief for the life and purpose thought to be lost.
The "empty nest" can also erupt an entire new host of family dynamics. How do you relate to your spouse now that the children are gone? How do you relate to you now adult child? What happens when they get married? Will you still be needed? What purpose will guide your life?
Karen Worley spoke this week with Susan Yates, co-author of Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest. Susan offered some wise guidance when it comes to facing the empty nest:
- Remember the "Season Principle" - This period of transition is just another season of your life through which you will travel. Nothing is new under the sun! (Ecc. 1:9)
- Make your Marriage the Priority - Make new decisions about how you will spend your evenings and weekends - include fun and adventure! Treat your marriage as if you are dating again, rediscovering each others interests and passions.
- Adult-Child Balance Act - Find a healthy balance in your relationship with your adult child. You will be tempted to be either a "helicopter" parent who texts or calls your child nearly every day, or you will be a hands-off parent, going weeks without calling.
- Reassess and Reevaluate - Encourage each other within your marriage to pursue interests that you haven't had time to consider. Spend time in God's Word to discover the callings he has for all of us as believers.
3. Caring for Aging Parents
Perhaps the task of caring for aging parents can be the most difficult of all during mid-life. The simultaneous juggling of providing for financially dependent children and running parents to doctors appointments can seen nearly impossible. Melissa Rogers spoke this week with Julie-Allyson Ieron, author of An Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents about many practical issues encountered when caring for parents. We would like to provide you with more encouragement and guidance, so we share with you Julie's Caregiving blog at http://womencareforagingparents.blogspot.com/.
A few notes to keep in mind when it comes to care taking for aging parents include the call to honor and respect our parents, God's principle of valuing life, and the call to support and encourage one another in the body of Christ. One of the most overwhelming aspects of caring for parents is that many people feel utterly alone. We must remember to support one another in the body of Christ, lifting each other up through prayer, scripture, and tangible assistance (providing meals, providing respite, etc.) (1 Thess. 5:11)
If you are journeying the highway of "mid-life," we pray this week was of great encouragement to you! Remember that through every year of your life, God is right there with you! His Word provides all the guidance we need to navigate our lives in a way that glorifies Him.
Interview Recaps
- Ministry as an Alternative to Retirement - Marketplace Chaplains Ministry
- Navigating Mid-Life Financially - Robin Nichols of Mississippi Baptist Financial Services
- An Overwhelmed Woman's Guide to Caring for Aging Parents - Julie Allyson Ieron
- Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest - Susan Yates
- Embracing Mid-Life - Lynne Baab
Key Scriptures
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore, encourage one another, and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing."
Exodus 9:16 - For this very purpose have I let you live, that I might show you my power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for good and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.
Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, in just a little while he who is coming will come and will not delay.
Matthew 11:28 - Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Rest in God's Word today!
Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
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