As she exited the sanctuary, Linda spotted her friend. “Mary, how’s retirement?”
Mary’s face spoke volumes. “It’s fine.”
“The expression on your face tells me that’s not completely true.”
“I don’t want to bother you with my troubles.”
Linda put her hands on her hips. “If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t ask. What’s going on?”
Mary sighed. “I didn’t exactly choose to retire. I’m not as sharp as I once was, and they replaced me with a 25-year-old making half the salary. I feel useless now.”
“You are not useless.”
“I used to make a difference. For years my kids needed me. Then as they grew older I went back to work. Every day I’d go to the office and solve problems and help people. Now I sit at home and watch game shows.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way. What are you doing now?”
“Going home.”
“Why don’t you come help out in the nursery during second service? We can use the extra hands.”
“I’m not sure how helpful I’ll be.”
“Just give it a try. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to help again. You love babies. How old are your grandchildren now?”
“Jessica’s kids are 10 and 7 and Michael’s are 8 and 6.”
“So you haven’t been around babies and toddlers for years. Let’s go fix that.”
Mary shook her head and followed after Linda to the nursery. Thirty minutes later, she sat in a rocking chair with two toddlers in her lap who were engrossed in the picture book she showed them. When they tired of the book, she rocked a baby to sleep.
Linda watched Mary out of the corner of her eye. With each cuddle, each giggle, Mary’s face grew a little brighter. Children were good medicine, indeed.
When service was over, moms and dads came to pick up their little ones. As Mary handed the children back to their parents, Linda overheard one mother’s comments to Mary.
“God bless you for watching the children. This is my only break all week. I want you to know how much I appreciate being able worship God without my kids needing me. This one hour gets me through the rest of the week.”
Mary stared after the mother as she walked away, a baby on her hip and two preschoolers in tow. Linda stood beside her as the last child was picked up. “So what did you think about the nursery?”
Mary blinked back tears. “That poor woman. This is the only break she gets all week. I’ll be here every Sunday. You can count on me. In fact, I have an idea.”
“What’s your idea?”
“Why don’t we organize a mom’s night out? We can open up the nursery and maybe one of the Sunday School rooms. That way all these hardworking young parents can get a break.”
Linda beamed at her friend. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Let’s make it happen.”
Three weeks later on Saturday night, Linda and Mary once again found themselves in the church nursery surrounded by little ones. Several other volunteers ran games for the older children in the multipurpose room, while preschoolers made crafts in one of the classrooms. The sounds of happy children filled the church. After two hours, the friends were exhausted, but filled with joy. Mothers started lining up to claim their children. All were full of gratitude.
“I was able to go to the grocery store by myself for the first time in four years,” said one.
“My husband and I went out to dinner and really connected. We haven’t had time to talk much lately,” said another.
“I dropped off the kids and went home and took a bubble bath,” said another. “I haven’t been this relaxed in years.”
Still another mom told Mary and Linda “I was able to spend time with a friend who was struggling. I had the opportunity to pray with her. Tonight made such a difference. Thank you.”
By the time all the children were gone, Mary and Linda had been thanked over a dozen times. Mary looked over to find Linda grinning at her.
“What?”
“How do you feel?”
“Exhausted, but great.”
“Still feeling useless?”
Mary shook her head. “Of course not. Did you hear how grateful those mothers were? It was such a simple thing to do. All we did was love their children, and they were able to have a break.”
“All you needed to do was be open to the opportunities God put in your path. All those moms were blessed because you saw a need and filled it.”
Mary smiled at her friend. “Maybe retirement isn’t so bad after all.”
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
God, we go through so many phases in our lives. Please help us remember it doesn’t matter what age we are or in what shape our body is in. As long as we’re alive, You can use us. All we need to do is be willing to serve. Thank you for giving us so many different opportunities to be your hands and feet. Please help us be on the lookout for these opportunities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I love this story! I retired awhile ago and have been asking Jesus, what next. Not just sitting and vegetating! Prayed at ladies Bible study asking the Lord for an open door. I do know that wherever I go I can be an encouraging light to others too.
Thank you for sharing. You can trust if you’ve asked the Lord for an open door to serve Him, He’ll give you one. Being a light for Him will be a blessing both for you and for those around you!
Karen
Thank you for this inspiring story. I really needed to hear this. You are right praying 🙏 and asking the Lord to show you the way for an opportunity to serve him and then waiting patiently. I am waiting on my answer to a outreach message that I want to do on my own to serve my former church I attended so that I can show God’s love to others. It makes me feel good to make others smile because in return I feel of some value in life. I am glad you enjoyed your time with your son and I pray for all to go well with him at college. I also hope you have a blessed week. Happy Spring.
I love when people tell me they needed to hear something I wrote. Thank you. I’ll pray God will give you the answer you need. Blessing others always blesses us in return.
Karen
Thank you for your prayers. I pray that God will pour his blessings over you and your family. Thank you for blessing me with your encouragement of your inspiring words. I thank you also for your time that you spend each week to bring us your short stories. You are bringing the light of God’s word to so many people. I pray that Gods gives you just what you need each day. Have a blessed day.
Thank you for your kind words. God has always proved faithful. I will continue to write stories as long as God gives me the words! May He continue to bless you as well.
Isn’t it amazing how “right” things feel when we are in the place God wants us to be.
I recently moved and the long-time volunteer ministry I was active in had been shut down for good after the pandemic shutdowns. It is pointless to make prayer shawls and comfort pillows when the recipients are no longer permitted to accept them.
I had accepted a full-time job offer very close to home, but it became quickly apparent that it was not the correct place for me. I was constantly tense and stressed.
Now, over a year later, I have recently started a new job at a senior living community as the weekend overnight and day receptionist. The difference is like night and day.
The hours are full time, but organized into two 16-hour shifts. But I am happy and relaxed in a way I never was at the old job. I am able to serve more senior adults with love and kindness, and like Mary & Linda in yoyr story today, I receive more that I give in so many ways.
That’s wonderful! When we find ourselves in God’s will, it is such a blessing. I’m glad you were able to find His place for you. Maybe you’ll be able to start making prayer shawls again soon. I was given one after my cancer surgery last year and it was a blessing to know I was being prayed for while she made the shawl.