Posts Tagged ‘retirement’

Endings and Beginnings

Posted: June 1, 2012 in arthritis, family, Health, holiday, life, love, news, pray, prayer, religion, UK, work
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Yesterday was quite a landmark day for us, as it was my husband’s final day at work after agreeing to take early retirement/voluntary severance. To be honest I don’t think it’s really quite sunk in yet that hubby will not be working anymore although I’m sure after a few days of me getting up to go to work, and him still being in bed, will hep it sink in!

As for hubby, how does he feel? Well he’s got mixed feelings about it as ideally he wouldn’t have wanted to leave, however given the restructure of our department (we both work at the same place), and his health issues, it wasn’t really a difficult decision for him to make – Nor was it a difficult decision for me to agree with because I certainly hope that the opportunity for him to relax and chill a bit, will help him get healthier and fitter, though obviously the former is the priority!

So what now? Well hubby is planning on taking a few months out in the hope that his health improves and he can get a bit fitter too. Then he hopes to look for another job of some description, although whether that’ll be in IT or something completely different your guess is as good as mine!

Yes, our lives are going to change now that hubby is no longer working. I just hope and pray that this enforced change is just what hubby needs to get his health back on track.

I’d ask you to pray for my husband at this time as he tries to get used to retirement and how to fill his days, but most importantly, please pray that his health will improve.

Retirement!

Posted: March 10, 2012 in family, Health, holiday, life, work
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No not my retirement!

I’m sure you’re all very aware of all the cutbacks in both finances and resources within many councils around the country. Well, as both hubby and me work in the same IT department of the same local council it was obviously concerning when cutback were announced.

To facilitate some of the cuts, a restructure of our department was announced a few months ago, and this highlighted that both our jobs may be in danger.

To cut a long story short, as hubby’s post was no longer even going to exist and him and the two others in their position would potentially have to compete for the one job, we investigated the options for him to take voluntary severance/early retirement. The outcome of this was that he applied for voluntary severance/early retirement, and just a few days ago this was approved!

So in a few months time, I’ll be the only working person in my household! That’s going to be a bit odd, but I guess it’s for the best as at least going now when hubby’s is still well enough to get some enjoyment from retirement is better than what may have happened at a later time when potentially his health could be much worse.

I still find it quite odd to think that hubby is going to be “retired”…but then he is a few years older than me! LOL

Before any of you ask….yes we have already started compiling a list of “things to do around the house” for hubby when he’s got lots of free-time on his hands! Although I’m sure if he got any better offers, they may be considered :)

His Provision

Posted: August 23, 2009 in Bellshill, religion, Salvation Army
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At our morning service we had the retirement of two officers (ministers) who have served as Salvation Army officers (minister) for 38.5 years! We celebrated there many years of faithful service and the love and teaching they have passed on to all they met during their service.

This all got me to thinking about my own service, obviously not as a Salvation Army officer (minister), but simply as a follower of Christ who is serving Him as a soldier in the Salvation Army at Bellshill. What I started thinking about was my own service. If this were my “retirement” today, would I be celebrating my service to God, confident I had served Him well all my life?


This is a very tough question, and an even tougher one to answer honestly! So what’s my answer? Well, I could tell you that I have served God as well as I possibly could and done everything He’s asked of me, but I’m afraid that would not be the truth. I have done something in my life that I am not proud of, I’ve done some things in my life that gone against God’s plan for me and I’ve said and done some things which I am ashamed of.

However, I am so thankful to God that despite all of this, He has forgiven me for all my sins, because He still loves me and cares for me and wants me to serve Him.
So how about you – If this were your”retirement” today, would you be celebrating your service to God, confident that you had served Him well all your life?

Whether your answer is positive or negative, rejoice, because God still loves you, and will always love you no matter what your sins.

On Thursday night at our band practice we practiced the beautiful Ivor Bosanko piece “His Provision” which was originally published in in the 1985 Musical Salvationist as a songster (senior choir) piece. The words of that piece are very relevant to where my thoughts have been today, and in fact we played this piece during our morning service.

Please consider the words of this song, and try to see how they fit with your life:

His Provision (Ivor Bosanko)
At the moment of my weakness,
When my need for pow’r is plain,
And my own strength is exhausted once again,
Then my Lord has made provision
For the day of my despair,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer, my prayer,
Then my Lord has made provision
For the day of my despair,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

Holy Spirit! Promised Presence fall on me.
Holy Spirit! Make me all I long to be.
Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit!
Give your pow’r to me,
O Holy Spirit.

When the darkness falls around me,
When bewildered and afraid,
When I feel the most deserted and betrayed,
Then my ev’ry need is answered
By God’s providential care,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer, my prayer,
Then my ev’ry need in answered
BY God’s providential care,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

Nothing now can rob God’s servant
Of the peace that He bequeaths,
Nothing take away the strength His presence breathes,
Of the EVERLASTING ARMS OF LOVE I’M DAILY MADE AWARE,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer, my prayer,
of the everlasting arms of love I’m daily made aware,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

In conclusion I just want to leave the highlight me favourite words in this song:
When the darkness falls around me,
When bewildered and afraid,
When I feel the most deserted and betrayed,
Then my ev’ry need is answered
By God’s providential care,
And His precious Holy Spirit hears my prayer.

These words are so reassuring to me, I hope they are reassuring to you too.