reflections on retirement by lee MCKENZIE

“I am retiring today.”
So few words with such big meaning.

Most of us spend part of the last half of our working life saying, “I wish I could retire.” Well, ready or not, here I come.

​I have been asked, “What are you going to do in retirement? You will be bored.”  Maybe I will be bored, but I hope not. First, I am going to sleep really late the first week. Then we’ll see how it goes. 

​​I am giving up a job I really love, doing what I really love to do with some of the greatest people I know. This is a hard thing to do. 
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I have worked in some sort of ministry for more than 25 years and I know that’s what I was supposed to be doing.  I went after the jobs that I’ve had over the years, but everything always fell into place for me to get the job.

I have really fond memories of it all from working with young people in seminary just starting their lives in the ministry, to working with and getting to know wonderful Jewish people, to working in two of the best Methodist churches in Mississippi (Clinton and Tupelo). Someone once said, “It’s been a great ride but it’s not over yet.”

​I don’t know what lies ahead but God does.
I hope it involves good health so I can do whatever he has in store for me. I intend to volunteer doing things that I could never do before while working. I know I am going to enjoy working in my yard more and maybe even learn more about plants. I don’t exactly have a green thumb; maybe I just need to fertilize it – my thumb that is!

I am going to enjoy being around two of the cutest kids in Mississippi, my grandchildren.
​I really want to do the Grandma thing and I want my grandkids to know how much I love them.

The thing I will miss most is being around the people – all the people of FUMC: getting to see them just because they stopped by the church for a minute; visiting on the spur of the moment; hearing about their happiness; praying for our members who are sick or hurting in staff meeting every week.

But I will be here to see our church continue to grow, to see the congregation increase with enthusiastic members – and to celebrate our bicentennial.

One hundred and fifty years. Wow; that is quite an accomplishment. And to think, I got to be part of it!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Heavenly Father, 
Allow us to be good stewards of our talents, gifts, and time; that we may look back on the time you have given us with joy knowing that You used us for Your great plan. Amen.

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