Your work life after 60 is a multifaceted one. You may think that you’ve reached an age where most people don’t get up in the morning and head to their 9 to 5, but the truth is that there are many benefits to continuing to work past your sixtieth birthday. Retirement Reformation recognizes that many in their retirement years work because they either have to, they want to, or they feel led to work as a volunteer. We encourage you to learn more from our podcast series on this topic. Not only can going back to work help you improve your social skills and keep up with technology, but it can also provide you with financial security in retirement—and even help you stay active and healthy longer!

At what age should we prohibit people from being able to work? When should we start disregarding their wisdom? How do we determine the point at which their experience is no longer necessary? Former United States Congressman Joe Cunningham declares to know the answer to these questions.

Our parenting roles don’t get easier. Our culture, economy, longevity, and living complexities make it increasingly difficult to define the role of father, acknowledge the role of father, or consistently fill fatherly shoes. The father’s role evolves from the moment of conception to the end of life—quite a journey. At least in my life, there are times I’m totally in tune with God’s fatherly role and action plan for me, and sometimes, it seems like a distant dream.

My faith journey was impacted by connecting with Solomon’s words of wisdom in what we call the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Writing at the end of his life, he concluded that being in awe of God and giving Him all glory is the chief end of man. We were created in His image, and so all the capacities and capabilities we have are a reflection of our creator.

Early this Christmas morning the moon lit up the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Southern Colorado. It was 3 AM Christmas morning and the “Blood of Christ” mountain range was peaceful, quiet, and almost as if it was waiting for a choir of angels to bring a message to all of us shepherds waiting in our fields and watching our flock.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it.” “Don’t you know, I’ve got it under control?” “I’m afraid and don’t know what to do!” “If I knew what to do, I’d do it.” From confidence and control to fear and doubt, we reflect where we are emotionally and practically. Unfortunately, neither end of the spectrum is accurate.

As I’ve traveled around the country, particularly in the South, I’m often late to town and hungry. When I’m by myself, so Judy does not know, I search out a Waffle House to calm the stress, enjoy the carbs, and go to bed happy.

As a 7-year-old, 18 months after the end of WWII, I traveled with my parents. We boarded Queen Elizabeth and headed to England. The trip was a challenge as the North Atlantic was rough and my dad was in separate quarters from my mom and myself.

First comes the lump in my throat, then a little shortness of breath and then a tear starts and trickles down my cheek. I wipe it away with the back of my hand finding myself just a little breathless. I take in a big breath, let it out slowly, and I’m only left with my thoughts. The moment passes but the thoughts remain. I pray a short prayer and return to my normal controlled self.

Isn’t it strange that during our time of greatest maturity of understanding and potential life impact, we are sidelined by the siren call to “leisure”?  We have succumbed to the world’s view of what they call retirement.  It’s sold as one homogeneous period highlighted by physical and mental decline with the associated goal of jamming as much leisure into the time that’s left. This definition is both depressing and wrong. As Christians, we have something more and something better in our future.

Our current pandemic reminds us of how interconnected we are with the whole world. We can close physical borders and there are still viruses and relationships that cross over them. Our God transcends it all and we exist in this interconnected space. It seems strange to connect a virus and the idea of relationships. One kills us and the other is essential to life. Both are hard to identify but equally critical to our future.