Birthdays .. Not Mine But Enjoy

But I trust in You, Lord, I said, You are my God. My times are in your hand. Psalm 31:15-16a

Yes, who'd guessed, today's my fourth birthday verse-a-day - and technically it is also the day I would have stretched or resign -  would retire. According to general business practice and the law of the land is five and sixty years is a good age to stop working because maybe you pencil is not as sharp or you may not bring the claw to the left.

Anyway, here I am, too "old" to work but still hard at work in God's acre. I can imagine God laughing up his sleeve for all of the "golden oldies" that he can now use full-time and eventually in his field work.

As I look back over some forty years of hard work - with here and there a few years off to care for children, I feel so blessed. Knowing that I am a restless soul, God has me over the years a little bit of everything given to do - a little education, a little translation and writing, children, a little picture painting and to work with people from various outgoing congregations. He gave me the privilege given to the Bible and work opportunities to the Bible closer to people. And yet it's not the end. Here in Japan does the harvest but the call does not change.

Have I had any idea about the way my life would go? Like everyone, I have made ​​mistakes and still do, often made ​​wrong decisions and still does it, often behind schedule and still does it, talk bad about others and still do, at times my faith neglected and still does it . Yet God has made ​​me close to him held - because he my weaknesses better than I knew. So here I am - can no different - still blessed with God's goodness and forgiveness and so I will continue until it is time to go - in God's time.

Prayer: Lord, you have been so good to me all the days of my life. The hard times have you forgotten me, and the good times I had in my heart. Thank you for your kindness and faithfulness. Amen