When I was a young man I looked forward to my retirement as a time when I would have more free time to do the things I wanted to do. Surprise; it is not that way at all. I enjoy my retirement. I like sleeping in. I enjoy more time with my wife. I enjoy shopping when no one else is in the store. Doctor’s appointments are easier to schedule. There are some things I do not like. My eyesight is getting worse. I have more doctor’s appointments and so does my wife. My dentist has found lots of things that need to be fixed. Time seems to go faster now than when I was young.

I still want to do a lot of things but I find there is actually a lack of desire on my part. I have all the tools I need but actually getting started is another matter. I spend a lot of time thinking about trivial details from my early life. I often play the game of “What would have happened if…?” My mind if filled with apprehension for my wife and family after I am gone. Have I provided for them well enough? I miss my Mom and Dad and brothers. We used to get a lot of Christmas cards and now there are so few. I would think a lot of older people share my concerns.

My basement used to be filled with books. I had almost three thousand at one time. I read most of them but there was a fair share I was looking forward to reading. Got tired of building shelves and arranging books and one day I decided to simplify my life. I gave a lot of books away. Donated some to charity. I donated some more to the nursing home and junior high schools across the city. Some I just threw away. I have about 50 to 60 books now and most of them are different Bibles or other books on biblical subjects. I find I get more enjoyment out of reading the Bible now; than I did a few years ago. I also spend a lot of time writing. It was something I have wanted to do for some time and I have found other people actually enjoy what I write.

I have been getting rid of other distractions in my life as well. I stopped subscribing to all my magazines. I do not go fishing or hunting very often; if at all now. I would rather spend my time helping my wife around the house, or growing a garden, or taking a day trip to some local attraction. This last summer we went back to Lewis and Clark Caverns and Virginia City. Sure been a lot of changes in the last 20 years. I used to drive over 66,000 miles a year because of my job but now I am lucky to drive 6000 miles in a year.

The world is full of distractions. If you need more the devil will help you locate some more. I reached a point where I said enough of this silliness. I arranged an autopay on all my bills except one. I keep finding ways to get rid of the clutter that filled my life. I started looking at my relationships more. There were a lot of people that I knew because of my job. Now that I am retired we really do not have much in common anymore.

Like the Bible says; you have to sort the wheat from the chaff. Get rid of those things that have been keeping you away from what is important in your life. You will enjoy life a lot more. I know I do and suspect other people would also if they spent more time on the things that are important. I enjoy church a lot more now. I will be 68 in a few weeks and have been contemplating my future a lot more. Whatever time I have left I want to spend it in strengthening my relationship with Jesus. When I die and go to Heaven I want to hear Jesus tell me ‘Welcome Home.”

Each of us has to make a choice in our lives. Are we going to live in the world or are we going to grow up and establish and maintain a relationship with Jesus? We are never promised tomorrow. We need to be ready for whatever happens. Jesus created us. Jesus loves us. Jesus came to earth so that his sacrifice could wipe sin from the slate of our lives. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is the only way into Heaven. Do not allow the world to sell you a pack of lies. Get ready now or death will close the door for you. You have a choice now. Don’t waste it!