The fruit of righteousness will be peace,
and the outcome of righteousness,
calm and security forever.
18 Then my people will live in a peaceful dwelling,
in secure homes, in carefree resting places. – Isaiah 32:17-18
There is a lot going on over at the renovation on St. Patrick Street. Aaron Riggs – the owner/developer – is running a kind of three-ring circus on the property, coordinating carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, HVAC experts, window people, arborists, inspectors and more.
Meanwhile, Rebekah and I are working with a cabinet guru to make sure the kitchen is designed to our specifications. We’re also selecting lighting and fans and tiles and colors and more, and we have already purchased several appliances that Lowes are kindly holding on to for now.
Back in Wake Forest – and this is the overwhelming part of the process – we are doing our best to keep the packing momentum going and to move what we can to our storage unit here in Tarboro.
Overall I would say progress is being made, with the caveat that I am feeling a lot older than I did this time last year.
This season of our life together:
But, just under the surface, both Rebekah and I are experiencing this kind of brooding excitement and anticipation. We are, as I said in yesterday’s post, on a pilgrimage of sorts at the moment. Not for some kind of pot of gold at the end of a rainbow but in search of definition in this season of our life together.
Yes, Rebekah is the pastor here and she is leading this church… but her work alone is not what is defining our experience. Instead, we are beginning to better understand what this “being retired” reality is shaping up to look like. It’s looking like a restored historic home in a lovely town where we will be anchored in a faith community that is going to love us and encourage us along the way.
They are going to do that regardless, if Rebekah is in the pulpit or sitting in the pew; if I am teaching the men’s Bible study or just participating; if we are attending every Sunday or off somewhere with the grandchildren. Regardless, we will be anchored here and – hopefully by the New Year – official residents sitting on our front porch on Patrick Street… just within sight of Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church.
