No white picket fences ...
A few years ago I had a discussion with a friend who was contemplating her husband’s retirement from the Air Force. She had enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime travelling, seeing the world, enjoying different cultures and now she pondered her return to the States and the seclusion it encompassed.
In her mind’s eye she saw her husband transitioning from the Air Force into a safe government job; getting the new house with the two car garage; and the white picket fence. After all, that had been the natural progression for many she and I have served with. It provided for a nice, safe and secure future without challenge.
The words she spoke after that have danced in the back of my mind ever since … “what if we find out that is all there is … what if we get the dream house, and white picket fence, and get stuck there?”
Those words of wisdom and insight have served as a catalyst in my life ever since.
Immediately after I retired from the Corps I got that all illustrious government job … the fence around our house was not white, nor was it picket, but it provided the same function of corralling us into the expected norm of what life should be after retirement from military service.
Thankfully Catherine saw that the norm of life was literally draining the life out of me and we broke the fence down … and moved to the Philippines to serve the poor as missionaries.
There is no greater pleasure or fulfillment in serving a purpose greater than one’s self.
There is no greater freedom than breaking down the white picket fence and living the great adventure God has planned for each one of us.
It is a sad reality that many plod along in their daily existence going from day to day instead of enjoying the freedom of operating within God’s will. God has a challenge for each of us!
One friend always closes her emails with “The softest pillow to sleep on is being in God’s will”.
I hope you are sleeping well …
