Retired by Day, Writing by Night

Retired by Day, Writing by Night

Perhaps you have found a tagline or two on my website. One is on the home page—FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA AND BACK AGAIN. And on the about page I write—DELIVERING MAIL BY DAY, WRITING BY NIGHT. Do you get the idea that I am hoping to be able to write more once I retire? Yes! Don’t get me wrong, I like my job as a mail carrier. Especially now that I am not walking 14 miles a day. My current route is more driving than walking, and that suits my 65-year-old feet just fine. But I still get to walk about three miles a day and enjoy the fresh air and exercise.

Then I started thinking: What if I become so busy when I retire (you know, doing all those things I envision from this side of the retirement date) that I have no time to write except at night? I do not want to exchange one tagline for another: RETIRED BY DAY, WRITING BY NIGHT. No, that will not do!

Last summer we celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary. We decided to get an old-timey photo taken, something we had always wanted to do. We did two: a wedding-themed one, and the one above, the American Gothic! How do we look? Does it make us look 80??

Michelle and I just finished re-reading Nearing Home by Billy Graham. It came out in 2011, when the author was 92 years old. (Billy Graham lived to be 99 years old!) The first time we read it, 10 or 12 years ago, it was not as impactful as this time around. 65 is different than 50, right? We are nearing retirement, not really nearing home (heaven), but the book is very good for this season of life (I will turn 66 in three months.) Mr. Graham catches our attention right from the introduction:

“All my life I was taught how to die as a Christian, but no one ever taught me how I ought to live in the years before I die. I wish they had because I am an old man now, and believe me, it’s not easy.”

He shares quotes from influential people in his life, like this one from Charles Spurgeon: “Give your life to Christ: He can do more with it than you can.”

He cites many Bible verses, especially those dealing with aging and dying: “You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning—though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.” (Psalm 90:5-6)

And then we enjoy his own pithy phrases:

“Old age is inevitable, if we live long enough!”

And:

“Life stands between bookends: life and death. Outside the rapture of the church, there will be one death for every birth. Not everyone will experience old age, but death will come to all.”

He brings us hope from God’s Word, especially the resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, which includes this encouraging declaration: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (Verse 54.)

The ten chapters of this book begin with a Bible verse and also a quote or catchy phrase, like this one:

DON’T RESENT GROWING OLD. MANY ARE DENIED THE PRIVILEGE.

This preacher/author speaks to us about how to be sure of heaven, using our gifts in old age to serve God, and leaving behind a legacy that honors the Lord. He also speaks of practical things like plans for retirement, finances, and accepting our physical limitations. I recommend reading this book, if you have not already. And if you have, read it again, it will mean more to you now that you are closer to your heavenly home!