Retirement – Part 3 (1976)
Toward the close of the conference year I began to develop a very painful condition and felt it inadvisable to continue another year. As we prepared to leave, some of the precious people came to help us pack. We had made final good-bye calls on each church family. After the last load had been taken to our home, we returned to the parsonage to get a few remaining articles that we could put in the car. We were alone. I cannot describe our feelings as we walked from room to room to make sure we had left nothing. As we came to the kitchen we were overwhelmed by an awareness we had never felt before, though we had experienced like occasions some twenty times before since we had taken our first pastorate in 1918. Over 58 years had come and gone since that date. With bowed heads we worshipped our Lord together, giving thanks for his leadership and that he had allowed us to have a place of service in his great harvest field.
We knew there was no doubt this was final. We had retired the third time from pastoral duties. As we closed that parsonage door it automatically locked and we said farewell to the opportunities and responsibilities, the joys and sorrows of a pastor’s life, but, thank God, not to faithful enriching service to our Lord.
We knew there was no doubt this was final. We had retired the third time from pastoral duties. As we closed that parsonage door it automatically locked and we said farewell to the opportunities and responsibilities, the joys and sorrows of a pastor’s life, but, thank God, not to faithful enriching service to our Lord.