Monday, July 25, 2011

A New Chapter In My Life


I am beginning a new chapter in my life. For the past two years I have worked two full time jobs. The first has been as the pastor of our church and the second has been as a full time hospice chaplain. I have been working way to much and space for Sabbath has been missing for a very long time to the detriment of my physical, spiritual and emotional health. I have been asking God to open a door for me so that I could go part time with the hospice. God has opened this door in a very wonderful way and I have only three more weeks left before I am only doing hospice 20 hours a week. Plus the Lord worked it out in a way that enables me to continue to get my health care through the hospital, which was my motivation for working full time in hospice to begin with. God is so good!

Another big change in my life is my family situation. My first daughter is getting married this weekend. I am filled with such a mixture of joy and sadness over this prospect it is hard to figure out what is going on inside of me. And in only a few weeks my second daughter and youngest child will be heading out to Ohio to Cedarville University. The only child we have left at home at that point is my second son, who lives at home while going to the community college.

I am beginning this new chapter in my life with excitement. I am looking forward to having more time to grow in the Lord and more time to invest in the Kingdom. So Lord, walk with me into this new chapter of my life. You have always been with me and I know you will continue to be.

5 comments:

Kerry Doyal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kerry Doyal said...

Amen. May He make this weekend sweet & refresh you for His service.

Thanks for sharing.
Oh & hydrate! ;-P

Renee said...

Blessings to you, Bill, and to your family. It sounds like you are open, available and excited about new possibilities. And, you are paying attention to what's going on "inside" you as you face new and beginning paths. (love your signpost!)

I saw Michael J Fox speak at a conference recently. His message and what he holds onto as he traverses his health challenges, a message that has helped him be present and "in the moment" is -- "Don't play the results."

Bill, I applaud your willingness to pay attention and be curious and excited about what your new path in life will reveal!

elias22 said...

And as you start this new chapter I will be starting it with you. The beginning of any journey is exciting, there is anticipation, hope, wonder, joy, and some fear, but we must stand on Scripture, "for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord". It is with these words from our Lord that we must stand upon and Know with certainty that Christ's plan will deliver us.

My family and I look forward to this new beginning with you and we are excited for what Christ will do in your life and our. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. Amen

Unknown said...

A new chapter; a new adventure; a continuation of the walk...The Lord will bless you...Let Him lead.