I retired from full time pastoral ministry on April 27, 2025. My first assignment as a church staff member was in fall 1980, so my retirement was in my 45th year of ministry. Much reflection. I don't know how people go through the painful times without a community of faith around them. God has been so good to let me be on the front row of so many stories--incredible young men and women who emerged from student ministry, seminary classrooms, and finally pastoral ministry. They are men and women who continue to do great things as they are yielded to God's unfolding plan in their lives.
One retirement project is that we (Judi and I) are in a season where we are trying to clear out unnecessary clutter. When you have lived a life as rich as I have, clutter is relative--everything has a story. Every treasure that I find brings back a mental photograph of a time with a friend, a former student, a movement of God that was unusual and extraordinary in that moment. One treasure was particularly poignant as Judi found it on the second anniversary of Aaron's death. It was an anonymous poem tucked away in a box of old pictures. I will let it speak on my behalf.
GOD'S LENT CHILD
"I'll lend you for a little while
A child of mine," God said--
"For you to love the while he lives And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years Or forty-two or three;
But will you, till I call him back
Take of him for me
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And--(should his stay be brief)
You'll have his lovely memories
As a solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, And try to understand.
But there are lessons taught below
I want this child to learn. l've looked the whole world over
In my search for teachers true;
And from the things that crowd life's lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take This lent child back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say--
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the love Thy child will bring
The risk of grief we'll run.
We will shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may--And for the happiness we've know
Forever grateful stay.
But should thy angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."
Unknown Author
