This morning we signed a contract to sell our house here on Cape Cod for $310,000-- if and when our broker finds a willing buyer. A few months ago, seh says, it would have been a higher price, but the market has sagged-- here and all over the country.
We've prayed about this a long time-- and thought about the prospects of growing older and having to do what we've been doing. A huge dumpster in the side driveway half filled with things we have accumulated across 53+ years of marriage-- whole years of sermon notes simply dumped into trash!
But Helen reminds me that my work has not been words and sermons and awards and things to hang on the wall. I trust she is right. I have not been a perfect example of what a man and a minister ought to be, perhaps, but I can say that I have been perfectly faithful to my commitment to God, and to Helen, and to our family. And faithful to the Church of the Nazarene as well-- even though in many ways we feel isolated and strange to the ways of worship and cultural adaptation we see, not only in our denomination, but across the spectrum of modern worship.
Anyway, I still believe that Christ is building His Church. I believe the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. I will be faithful to Christ and His Church until my latest breath. And, wonder of wonders, Christ is faithful to us, day by day-- he tenderly cares for us old people. His retirement plan is -- He told me once a long time ago -- "at least as good as IBM!" That's a happy joke, son! But true-- He DID tell me that!
So-- Ohio-- here we come!!
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3 comments:
Mom's right, and so are you.
We are having fun with Norman and Sheila; watched the first half of the Patriot's game at the manse and got the details afterward. Like going to bed before the game was through, I have confidence that things will be all right.
I am really going to miss you, Russell, and so will John Wesley UMC. Richard Harbison
Helen and Russell,
First, you're not old.
A,B,C and R & I will miss you terribly. You were a huge piece of what we fell in love with at John Wesley. We'll miss your sermons and high five ministry, your wonderful voices, your smiles, your je ne sais quoi!
I'll be praying for you, and I know God has a great plan for great people like you. Thanks for all you've done and still do for us.
Much love,
Judy
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