When the first bell rings at 7:55, the door swings open, and my seventh graders start streaming in, pulling chairs off the tables, plopping backpacks on the floor, high-fiving one another. I greet them as they come in and they chatter while I take attendance. After the Pledge of Allegiance and announcements, I glance at my plan book and launch today’s plan.
My Plan Book
My plan book sits on my desk. The different colors help me remember appointments, duties, upcoming events. Post-it notes draw attention to things not part of the regular routine I worry I may forget. I depend on that planner. And yet, I know it’s just a guide. An outline. What I think should happen on any given day. Activities and lessons I hope will inspire the young people in my charge.
A New Twist
This year has a new twist. I retire from 35 years of teaching on June 2. I wrote two red numbers in each square this year, counting down the days until I retire. One number represents the calendar days, the other the number of days in the classroom.
Every time I tell someone about my retirement, I get the same response: “How exciting! What will you do next?”
“I’m thrilled,” I answer, “But I don’t know exactly; we don’t have any definite plans right now.”
There won’t be a lesson plan book for retirement. My day won’t be dictated by bells and timelines. It’s one of the things I look forward to. Always a planner, right now I look forward to some blank pages.
The Real Plan
Because I know God has a plan. I want Him to write what comes next. Rather than jumping into the next chapter, I want to pause. Listen. Wait on God.
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” (Romans 8:28 AMP)
God’s plan includes lessons for me to learn.
But I can’t plan those lessons. Instead, I need to pray diligently and keep my eyes wide open in gratitude (Colossians 4:2 MSG), looking to God to work His plan in my life. If I allow myself to become mired in busyness, I may miss the good things He plans for me.
And so, yes, I’m thrilled about retiring in June. My plan right now is to trust Him. Rest. Pray. Keep my eyes wide open in gratitude. I can’t wait to see what God has planned for me in His plan book.
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Debbie, just the title of this post drew me in! Because I’m a planner, I carry a planner, but the truth is that my planner carries me! I’m married to a teacher in his 25th year in a classroom, so I’ve got lots of respect for those who teach other people’s kids. You would enjoy reading the words of Mary Geisen, also a retired teacher, who has lots of wisdom on this journey of transition and brave faith!
Yes, Michele, looking to the wisdom of others like Mary Geisen is something I look forward to. Just a few more papers to grade, report cards to complete, and seventh graders in spring to keep focused! I think I’ve moved to counting minutes. The first thing in my retirement plan book is REST.
How exciting, Debbie, to be at this juncture in life! We may not know what God has in store but we know that God is good and does only good. Thank you for reminding us all that God knows the real plan for our lives as He is the Author of the plan. Blessings!
God is good and does only good is the crux of everything. I love the reminders we’ve been studying in Ruth about listening, waiting, trusting, and obeying God. Blessings to you, Joanne.
Enjoy your pause! While not yet retired, my guy is. It has been a season of transitions while paying attention to see what God has planned next for us. Abundant blessings!
Thank you, Cathy. My husband retired several years ago and then started his own handyman business. He is going to retire from that, too. It will be like being newlyweds again, after 40 years!
Debbie, I hear you. I hope I won’t alarm you by confessing that is exactly where I am at 2 years into retirement! I have battled with ” without a vision, the people perish” until God gave my Isaiah 61, like the great commission, and I am learning to accept that each day He gives me a plan and a purpose, but there isn’t one big purpose.
I am still struggling to make peace with this.
I hope to read more from you once you have retired.
Please blog about this again.
I think we all need to support each other through this season.
Mine seems more difficult because 2 adult children live overseas, and one is still close, but none of them are married and there are no grand-children.
God has given me a passion to teach English to refugees, and I become a big part of these families and love this work.
I am grateful to have this work to do.
Blessings.
Mary.
Thank you, Mary. I feel nudged by God to write more, but I don’t know what to write about yet…maybe my journey into retirement and letting God lead is His plan. It certainly fits with my blog name: Uncharted Water, Trusting God No Matter What Comes My Way! I love that you are following God’s leading in serving others. Blessings to you.
I’ve traveled that road and can tell you that God’s plans unfold every day. It is strange at first and takes a while to find your place, but retirement is a wonderful thing. Teaching and schools have changed a whole lot over the years and I’m glad to be where I am. I hope you will be just as fulfilled and content here!
Thank you, Hope, for the encouragement. God’s plans unfold every day. I pray I have the wisdom to seek Him, always, first. Blessings to you.
What an exciting time in your life, Debbie, as you transition from God’s plan A to B (or should I say R for Retirement)? Well, honestly, you don’t sound like a very retiring person at all, and I know God has exciting things in store for you, as you allow Him to establish the plans He has for you and direct your steps. I can’t imagine how much you will miss teaching, but I know God, our Master Teacher, has great lessons in store for you. I know you are standing on tiptoe to see them unfold! May He continue to guide you with His eye upon you. May you continue to look for where He leads!!
Love
Lynn
Plan R is perfect! And Proverbs 16:9 is my retirement chapter verse. Thank you for your encouragement. Blessings to you.