~ Doors & Windows ~

[Lani]

Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen


"To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagin, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)


Having to accept mandatory retirement a few years ago from a university job that I loved, I felt that a door had been closed forever. I missed being around young people; I felt my daily interaction with them kept me young in thought and in spirit. Retirement has also become financially draining; so when God opened a window of opportunity for me to substitute teach, I felt twice blessed.

I spend a lot of time on my knees now, both physically with the children and spiritually because of the children. I pray for them, for their parents, and for those challenged with the responsibility of teaching them. I hadn't expected to begin my retirement this early; nor was this the way I had planned to spend it.

Change has definitely become harder for me as I have grown older. However, because my faith is strong, I am able to trust God and remain open and full of hope. Doing so has brought a life much fuller than anything I might have envisioned and has also allowed me to meet my financial obligations.


Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to discover our purpose and to live it in ways that brings us closer to you. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Those Facing Mandatory Retirement

Thought for the Day: What seems to us like an end can be God's door into a new beginning.

Story shared by: A. Sheffield (VA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional 7/21/11