My mood seems to follow the weather at times, on a grey day despondency and lethargy creep in and on sunny days I find myself feeling optimistic and hopeful. What worries me is having no control over this. I don’t want the weather to control how I feel and I do my best to pray my way out of the mood I am in and this does help. There is always a bible quote that can pick me up (see below), or a religious podcast with an uplifting message.
I have recently retired and it is very difficult to see a way forward when working for a living is no longer your focus, your children have grown up and need you much less and you feel as if you are on some conveyor belt to the final stages of your life. You also have a lot more time to think about these things and worry as work no longer occupies most of your time and thoughts.
There are many things that you can fill your life with, particularly to do with volunteering and being of use to other people, but I am at the stage that I want to think long and hard about this before I launch myself at any charitable work. I also want to feel that God is directing me so that I don’t end up taking on something that isn’t God led as if it doesn’t work out or feels overwhelming, you can end up feeling a failure both in helping others and in trying to offer up good works to God. There has to be a balance between filling your life and spending time with God, which can be difficult.
At this time of life it also seems to me that many people I have known have moved on – usually they have moved to another area to enjoy their retirement somewhere new and to be nearer to their children. It is also a time when your own parents are becoming frail and needing more help and this can lead to big changes. Life never really stands still and we have to adapt and I am so glad that I have my faith to help me with this. I don’t know how people cope without God accompanying them on their journeys.
God bless you and may you feel his presence more strongly in the difficult times you face,
Widows Mote 