Category: time

Posted in retirement, time

Four years? Already?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I’ve been retired for exactly four years. My last Sunday worship service was July 17, 2022. It’s time to reflect on this chapter in my life.

First, I am not bored. I have never been bored. For all who wondered, “What will you do when you retire?” or “How do you pass the time?” let me assure you that my life is full. My life is full of the same people and experiences, as well as lots of new ones.

I had lots of extra-vocational pursuits during my career as a pastor. I practiced music (guitar and trumpet), wrote (blog posts and devotions), exercised (everything from running to weight-lifting to Crossfit), gardened, and cooked while I worked. Retirement meant more time for those things. I learned bluegrass guitar, continued to write, re-created much of the gardens and landscaping around my home, learned how to make sourdough bread and sugar cookies, and walked many neighborhood miles with a giant dog (hello Willow, the Great Dane).

My family continued to grow in size (from eight to ten grandchildren) and ability (baseball, dance, soccer, basketball, flag football, reading, and crafting). I had time to watch, cheer, and help them create. I love the privilege of grandparenting.

Church and worship were a challenge. I didn’t move away, so I was told to separate from my church for a year. Let the new pastor settle in. Don’t get in the way.

Okay. Problem is, churches of my denomination are few and far between in these parts. One just to the north. Felt mechanical and sanitary. One to the south of us. Lots of struggles.

I tried an Evangelical Free church. Good preaching. Conservative theology. Friendly people. Great fellowship with men. Before I knew it, I was engaged with a men’s bible class, a couples small group, and teaching middle school youth. I also gained a better understanding of my own faith as well as the fervent faith of other Christians.

Turmoil at my retired-from congregation led me to worship at the church just to the south of us. They were seeking a pastor, aligned with all of my beliefs, and needed some of what I had to offer. I felt much more at home here as I plugged into their mission and ministry.

Along the way, my wife encouraged me to try out an online Bible Study Fellowship group. This group of men, weekly meeting via Zoom studied the bible in-depth and developed surprisingly good online relationships. After a couple of years, I became a group leader. I’ve learned so much from the group I lead, and from the training required to be a leader.

A couple of years into retirement, my wife and I started a small business making custom iced sugar cookies. She was the artistic arm of the business while I helped with the bookkeeping, making cookie cutters, and baking. I learned a lot about accounting, 3D printing, and edible ink printing. It was challenging but not profitable, so I also learned about closing a business.

Most recently, I’ve been asked to fill in for vacationing pastors. I’ve enjoyed the Sunday morning preaching and teaching experience without much of the daily work that happens in-between weekends. I remember how much I appreciated preachers who covered for me during vacations, and I am happy to provide that for others.

Since I’ve retired, I’ve got two new dogs. One is small: a White West Highland Terrier we adopted from an older couple. One is giant: a Great Dane we picked up from a breeder west of here. Dogs bring much joy to my life.

I’ve met so many people since retirement. Some in person, some online. All have been a blessing, and have helped me become the newest, best version of me.

I think that’s a lot of what retirement has been. I’ve transitioned from a life measured by what I do to who I am. From activity to being. That’s been the best part.

I no longer say I’m busy. Instead my life is full. Full of people, places, and experiences. It’s so much better than I ever imagined it would be.

To be honest, I don’t miss it. As much as I loved pastoral ministry, preaching, and teaching, I do not miss the weekly pressure of sermon preparation, endless non-essential meetings, and impossible expectations that accompany that profession. Retirement came at just the right time for me. Burnt out? Perhaps. Time to explore a new chapter.

Without a doubt-waite. Lol.

Posted in Life, time

Right on time: we missed all the excitement

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Stan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/car-side-mirror-showing-heavy-traffic-191842/

As I came down the highway exit ramp, I saw the red flashing lights off to my left. I saw the police car first, then a car with a smashed in driver’s side, and then a pickup truck up against a tree. I shifted lanes to pass by, noticing more lit-up police cars approaching from both directions. Within a quarter mile, two fire engines, three more police cars and an EMT flew past us. A response like that means a fatality. Just a few minutes later, the radio reported all lanes closed in both directions.

We missed it by a minute.

If we had left the house one minute earlier, we might have been the ones involved in the crash. If we had left the house one minute later, we would have been stuck in stand-still traffic.

We didn’t experience either. We left at the right time, drove at the right speed, and missed all the excitement. Coincidence? Providence? Who knows. Grateful? Absolutely.

In some cultures, time isn’t relevant. On mission trips to Haiti and Kenya, morning departure time for the clinic was when the trucks arrived. Lunchtime? When the food showed up. What time should we be ready for supper? When we no longer heard the sound of chickens from the kitchen, there was still time for a nap before washing up.

The inner city church where I interned started the worship when it looked like most of the congregation was present.

In my grandchildren’s world, it’s always snack time. It doesn’t matter if only been minutes since lunch or just a few moments before supper, they’re trolling for snacks. With the last bite of a snack in one hand, they are already pleading for the next.

In other settings, time rules. I remember family members missing a baptism because they showed up ten minutes late for worship. Leave those spritz cookies in the oven one extra minute and the bottoms are burnt. If I don’t check in online exactly twenty-four hours before my flight, I’ll end up sitting in a different row than my wife.

Early? Late? On time? In retirement, it doesn’t seem to matter as much. Except when I miss all the excitement at the scene of a crash.

Posted in Stories, time

The gift of time

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I think I have long underestimated the value of time. I am sure I am not the only one. I want to share how a few precious people brought this to my attention lately.

I went to visit a friend in the hospital last week. He joined our congregation a few years ago, is just a few years younger than me, and has always been a great encourager and support for me. He’s one of those guys who’s face lets me know he understand what I’m talking about.

Anyway, when I got to his room, his condition wasn’t great but was improving. His wife had another appointment and amazingly, no one came in the room while I was there. We had an uninterrupted forty-five minutes before his next diagnostic test. We talked about many topics, from the church to his family to upcoming trips and how he ended up in the hospital. After the sacrament and a prayer, he said, “Thanks. I don’t often get you to myself.”

Later than week, I sat down to visit with a woman whose husband had died two years ago. The time sure had flown since his funeral, especially during the Covid quarantine year. It turns out we had a lot of shared experiences to discuss. I also learned a lot of new things about her family and passion for horses. An afternoon flies by when you’ve got a bowl of peach dumplings and vanilla ice cream, and a miniature bull terrier licking your hand. It turns out we both really enjoyed that afternoon.

And then today I had an exclusive invitation to a 90th birthday celebration. I was the only gentleman to score a seat with some amazing, faithful sisters who gathered to mark this moment. When it was over and I was driving away, I thought, “The most important thing was that we were there.” We were there with her. We were there to celebrate with her. We were there to eat and drink, to smile and laugh, to make an ordinary day extraordinary.

After the tea, finger sandwiches and birthday cake, I got into my truck and got a message from my wife. Someone in the hospital. I stopped in on my way home. She was doing well, but was alone. Her husband had a ailing dog to care for. Those dogs, they grab our hearts and won’t let go! We laughed and cried and prayed. I’ve been there. And I’m glad I could be there.

I really don’t have much to give other than my time. Today God reminded me how valuable that gift is.

Posted in common sense, time

“The (fill in the blank) will still be here tomorrow.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sophie Elvis on Unsplash

In a world of “limited-time offers”, warnings that “time is running out,” “if you call in the next five minutes” teasers and “not available in stores” products, all of life can seem urgent. After all, yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed and today is all you really have, right?

Well, yes and no. There are definitely some things you don’t want to put off until tomorrow. But there are other things that will still be there tomorrow. We should pray for wisdom to discern between the two.

For example, definitely spend time with people, especially the ones you love today. But don’t get too hung up on cleaning every nook and cranny in your house. If you are too busy or stressed out today, don’t worry, the dust will still be there tomorrow.

Write a thank you note as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the more awkward that task becomes. Didn’t get to all the weeds in the garden? Don’t worry, they will still be there tomorrow.

If you can, play with your children or grandchildren today. They won’t be little forever. If you don’t get around to throwing out the old leftovers in the refrigerator this afternoon, don’t fret. They will still be growing mold tomorrow.

Spend some time with God today, even if it’s just few minutes in his word or in prayer. He usually has something to tell you that you’ll need later on. But if you didn’t get all the ironing done, don’t sweat it. The wrinkles will still be there tomorrow, or better yet, they might just hang out overnight!

Get some exercise. At the very least, go for a walk. And take the dog. Keep moving rather than feeding inertia. If you don’t get all the toys put away that you got out playing with the kids, never fear. They’ll be waiting for you tomorrow!

Why not run some of your life through the “The (fill in the blank) will still be here tomorrow” filter?