Retire or Re-Tired

3 months ago on the 16^th of April, I tendered my resignation! 

Since I have to give a notice of 3 months, I decided not to post this write-out as I am still working.

(post was written on 16 April 2020)

After 20 years working in this company, going through all the struggles, insults and enduring scolding from the boss, I finally call it quits. The last 5 years would probably be the worst years.

3 weeks ago, the boss called me to my office: “So, when are you retiring?” A hint that he dropped on me to actually tell me that I am redundant and it’s time for me to go. I got the message. So, I told him: “Soon, in one or 2 months”.

The COVID-19 is the catalyst for my retirement. A few years back, as I was praying for my last path of my working life, I sense that God’s grace on this company is going to expire. The need to exit from this company is imminent. But I need to redeem my shares of the company first, without causing a commotion. The company was reluctant to relinquish my shares. So, last year I tried again, sensing the urgency that the company will face financial problem. My reason for redeeming my shares was for my retirement. A valid reason which my big boss could not reject. And so, I got back my shares sometime late last year 2019.

Having settle my exit plan, the COVID-19 came in December 2019 as according to God’s timing! As with all businesses, my company starts losing money. 20% pay-cut on senior staff is implemented. And so, my boss asked me for my retirement.

I am like Lot in Genesis Chapter 19. The story flashed through my mind as I pondered over my retirement last weekend. The angels have to literally seized Lot and his family’s hand and pull them away from Sodom and Gomorrah as they lingered. I felt the hand of an angel pulling me and telling me, “Time to go!”

***

Talking about retirement can be scary.

Will I lose my identity? Nah!

My identity is in Christ, not an Engineer or Vice President of Engineering to be exact.

What do I want to do with my time?

3R – Rest (Sabbath); Read and Re-create

1.  Rest

Working for 35 years (I started working on 2^nd May 1985); rightfully I should have 5 years of Sabbath Rest. Since retirement age has shifted to 65 or 66, it’s probably right to retire now and spend the time for Sabbath and for Rest. The body need to recover, to be strengthened and to be energised! “Be strong (in body and in Spirit) and courageous (in mind and in action)”

Worship – Prayer & Praise are part of Sabbath routine. To dwell in the house of the LORD forever and to gaze upon the beauty of His glory. It is in learning to seek the fellowship of the LORD, as “each evening as God comes to the Garden of Eden to meet Adam and his wife”.

As the Westminster Shorter Catechism first question asked: “What is the chief end of man? – Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

And so, worship and fellowship is the centre core of Sabbath for me.

For the body to be stronger, exercise must also be part of the regime. It’s time to exercise and jog. To explore areas that I used to go – MacRitche and Mandai Area, jogging on trail and into the forest.

2.  Read

Bible reading and Bible study are usually what I use to do, but have been slacking all this year. And so with time on my hand, I will be more discipline in this area of sitting at the feet of Jesus like Mary, to learn from the Master.

Also, I will spend time at Singapore Bible College Library more regularly once the COVID-19 is over and the library opens again.

I recently received this book from OUR DAILY BREAD. It is written by Dr Robert Solomon on Growing Old Gracefully, written for Seniors like me.

The book is very well written cover many aspects maintaining our Spiritual Journey and developing Spiritual Habits for Seniors, cultivating relationships and staying healthy; and the most important aspects for Seniors – to prepare of “EXIT” – Thinking of Heaven.

I have started the first 2 chapters, but must do the Reflections!!.

1.  Re-Create

There are many recreations as well as “Create” or skills that I need to try. The only distraction is lack of discipline and perseverance.

Should I learn to Guitar or the piano? It sounds difficult. I may learn some simple gardening and explore planting some “kitchen” plants. I definitely need to improve on my stock trading skills.

For the time being, reading up on all these and develop a love to learn and try again is the first step, as they say: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”

Hopefully, As I retire, I will make better use of my time and not Re... Tired.

God-Bless & Agape!