“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Have you ever heard the saying that “even the best laid plans will go wrong”? Ten years ago yesterday, I retired from the State of Nebraska and today, it appears that I may possibly be doing what His plans were for me and I feel richly blessed. A week ago, our guest Pastor Robert Frank asked us if we were doing His work and how we felt about that. Sitting in ‘my’ pew that pointed question swirled around in my brain and I came to the conclusion that I felt blessed to be doing His work, not proud, but thankful to be able to realize and give thanks that He gave this sinful bucket of flesh and bones something to do for Him with the gifts He gave me.
I’ve never heard of anybody in Haiti ever retiring like we do in the US because there, men and women reach an age where they can no longer put food into their bodies and they go to live with relatives and die; that was never my plan, and my daughters shout AMEN! The attached photo is of some of the children and teachers at the Lutheran school at Bongnol which is located in the Artibonite District. There are 76 children attending school here and for me that is seventy-six reasons to volunteer my labors for Trinity HOPE to help feed these children while they learn about Jesus Christ.
As long as my feeble, arthritic fingers can type out a daily devotion that will prayerfully move another donor to help feed over 42,500 children in Haiti; that is what I intend to do. What are your plans for retirement? Have you given any thought to helping feed children in Haiti when you retire or even before you pick that date? These kids need you, your talents and your prayers. Imagine how many could be touched by your life or by your legacy when it is your time to leave this world. I was listening to Amy Grant sing on my MP3 yesterday and the song ‘I can only imagine’ was playing and it’s words placed thoughts into my mind about what the future will bring.
“I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side. I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me. I can only imagine; I can only imagine. Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine; I can only imagine. I can only imagine when that day comes and I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship you. I can only imagine; I can only imagine. Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine; yeah I can only imagine.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay