What now?
Whew! I was so relieved to see my plane was scheduled for an on-time departure. After weeks of preparation, I was finally on my way to Fairbanks, Alaska to speak at a women’s retreat at Eielson, Air Force Base. I had never been 110 miles south of the Arctic Circle before, so I was really looking forward to ministering to this community of women. However, getting there was dependent upon making my connection in Seattle, WA. As usual, I was traveling by myself.
As the West Regional Coordinator for the military women’s ministry, I traveled often throughout the Western United States to visit military bases. I relished my independence and was thankful that as a paraplegic I was able to navigate the logistics involved with travel, including finding accessible lodging and making lots of adaptations. I held this position for two years and loved every minute.
Upon my husband’s retirement from active duty, my ministry became more focused on serving my local community. I volunteered to make breakfast at a ministry for the poor and homeless in Dayton, OH. I taught English as a Second Language to Muslim refugees and Hispanic immigrants. Most recently, my husband and I have been Guardian Ad Litem’s, a court-appointed volunteer position, to advocate for children who have been removed from their home due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
But now, after my seventieth birthday, the focus of my ministry is once again changing. My strength and stamina are waning more quickly than the setting sun. My hands barely function. I don’t get anywhere fast in the mornings and I’m ready for a nap after lunch, or sometimes before. My ‘want to’ and ‘can do’ are rarely in sync, and the realization that I can no longer physically do what I used to do has hit hard. What now?
It seems I’m in good company. 2 Samuel 21:15-17 tells us about a time when David was too weak and weary to be in a battle. His life was saved by one of his soldiers who came to his rescue after David was almost killed by the enemy. David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” David never again went into battle. Instead, he ruled the kingdom from the throne room in his palace.
Numbers 8:24-26 tells us about the Levites, who were commissioned as priests at the age of twenty-five and forced to withdraw from that duty at the age of fifty. Did this mean their fruit bearing years were over? Absolutely not! Their time of conducting services was over, but there was still much work to do by keeping guard and helping their brothers carry out their priestly duties.
There will come a time in our lives when each of us will need the wisdom and discernment to know when to re-define our ministry, especially if we can no longer keep up with the physical and mental demands. This does not mean the end of ministry. It simply means we have to re-think how we do ministry.
When we find ourselves at this intersection of old age and ministry, we have to acknowledge our limits and work within them. I’ve asked God to show me how I can still bear fruit in ways that are in step with my physical strength, stamina, gifts, and abilities. I’m still learning how to shift my focus from what I can no longer do to that which I CAN do. For me, this means being more intentional to write inspiring stories and ponderings based on my life’s experiences.
How about you? Has there been a time in your life when you’ve struggled with failing health and limited physical abilities? If so, I’d like to invite you to open your heart and listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. How might He be redirecting His plans for you in this season of your life?
What About You?
Here are a few ministry opportunities to think and pray about. God will lead you to where He wants you to be during this stage of your life.
1. There is no lack of people who need encouragement. Women our age often feel left out, lonely, and discouraged. All it takes is an encouraging word to change someone’s day.
2. Pray especially for those who are on the front lines and doing ministry in an increasingly godless world. The spiritual battles they fight every day are real. Send notes of encouragement to your pastor and ministerial team, letting them know you are praying for them and appreciate their hard work.
3. Along the same lines, we need to pray for the brave 20-30 year-olds who continue to proclaim Jesus through social media: podcasts, videos, instagram, and such. They are the future of Christianity in a generation that has re-constructed their faith to make God into their own image.
4. Reach out to friends and family via texts and phone calls. Check on them often.
5. Send cards or the now-almost-extinct handwritten letter.
6. Take special treats to your doctors, nurses, and physical therapists. They work hard to keep us alive, healthy, and moving.
7. Like the Levite Priests after retirement, volunteer to serve on committees. Just don’t lead them.
8. Become a prayer warrior. There is no shortage of people who need prayer for all things about life.
9. If you sew, knit, or crochet, there are always places to donate your items, such as:
a. Knots of Love - for people going through cancer
b. Warm-up America - for people in need
c. Binky Patrol - for children and teens who are sick, in foster care or shelters
d. Guardian Ad Litem County Office - for children in foster care
e. Hospitals and birthing centers
May God give us all the grace to accept our changing bodies and changing lives during our sunset season. We still have a lot to live for. We’re still breathing!
