YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN- OR CAN YOU

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

"Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." (Mark 6:4)

For the follower of Christ, retirement can be one of the most rewarding experiences. A time to concentrate on "the things of the kingdom". A time to spend time working in the church. And a time to get out and witness for Christ. Even though this fictitious account of a retirement gives a secular view of retirement life, God is still in command of any life, regardless of the situation. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I'm sure you've heard the old cliché, "You can't go home again". This idiom is just one among the many culture statements quoted down through the ages. But what does it mean? To a wanderer who carries their home with them? To a runaway child abused by their parents? To a homeless man, who has no home? To me home actually shows a place of comfort and safety. A place where one is loved by all concerned. So is the meaning of this old expression physical or is it just a philosophical "pipe dream"? And how does it parallel to retirement? As for retirement, I may have just talked myself into the "can't go back in life" camp. So one must make the best of his or her retirement years, while they may.

I have been retired now some four years. In some ways, it just seems like yesterday, and in some respects, it has been a virtual life time. Yes, in retirement one cannot roll back the years. With each day, comes a complete new ball game of life. And what we do with it, or how we handle it, is all up to us.(Psalm 118:24)

Like many others, I just knew I'd set the world on fire. I would become like so many other great "Shakespearean" orators by sharing my vast life experiences with all my neighbors at our little monthly "town hall" senior get together. Well, guess what. I failed in the orator's roll, as well as many other projects I tried to take on. I couldn't even win at checkers. Not to mention my "Bingo" failures. One would think, after so many retirement let downs, giving up would be a relief. However, I just continued moving along. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

I just knew the wife would be so happy, if I indulged in the many "handy man" projects, on her "honey do" list, hanging on my work shop wall just waiting for my retirement. To complicate matters, even more so, my work shop was filled with the many TV advertised "fool proof" gadgets, that make for an easier "handy man" life style. Did I ever get a wrong number, here, including not getting my orders doubled.

Why I even tried those miracle "fountain of youth" pills advertise on prime time television . You know the ones, that will mystically shed pounds, put spring back in your step and greatly improve memory. But, sadly to say, I still have to ask the wife what day it is, as I rise to begin my days reign in my own little kingdom.

One of my first projects, after retiring, was to become better educated on the worlds current events. After all, if it was told on national television it had to be true, right. So I settled back in my " Frazer Dad" comfortable recliner, you know the one, held together with all that "duck tape", and tuned in. Boy, was I surprised. How did this planet get in such a seeming disarray ? And where have I been the last 50 years?

Oh well, life is depressing enough, without some expert commentator telling me. So much for the TV news. Now, I just love those TV "home and garden" shows. The one's that tell me how to remodel my home in three days with a budget of a few thousand dollars.

I must admit, I'm not the smartest fish in the pond, but I do have some logic. Life is what you make it, And that includes our glorious retirement years. So, I think I'll drive down the street and visit my favorite "fast food" joint for breakfast. For you see, with a coupon I can get the "gravy and biscuit" and the senior coffee for less than two dollars.

If I'm lucky, I can join the other seniors in helping solve the world's problems over my cup of "decalf" coffee. Or, if I'm energetic enough, I'll just mosey over to the gym and work out on my free senior pass, by joining all the other senior "Mr. American's".

Retirement life, in spite of what you might have heard, is great. And about all those uncontrollable worldly phenomenon's, with which you read, just take life as it comes by rolling with the punches. Since I can't do anything about such happenings, I'll just take Deputy Barney Fife's advise and "nip it in the bud". Those ever present negative thoughts, that is.

Yes, you may not be able to go home again, but as relating to retirement, you can certainly make a difference where you are. Just let go and let God's Holy Spirit have full control of your life.

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you". (John 16:12-15)