O let me see thy footmarks,
and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
is in thy strength alone.

 Retirement, I have discovered, presents one with more opportunities – and more decisions.  The new journey has certainly begun, but the day to day dynamics of living out that journey have changed.

Now, at the beginning of each day, there is considerably more freedom to make decisions of how that day is going to be spent.  Familiar routines and expectations that came with a job no longer exist –  one is suddenly facing daily choices of how to spend the hours of each day.   And that sort of choice brings much responsibility.

I find myself writing lists of tasks “to do” (and often feeling somewhat overwhelmed, if I am honest).  I have yet to run out of ideas.  I am also aware that I can now spend my time quite selfishly, doing what I want to without any other consideration.

And, when I reflect, I am drawn back to the words quoted above – familiar (perhaps too much so) words of a hymn often sung all too glibly.

My time, my energy, my life is not ultimately my own.  All are God’s gifts and the use of them is a privilege that I am gifted to be able to use. Not, ultimately, for my own selfish ends, but to God’s plan and purpose.

That’s why I have called this blog “Footmarks”.  I have started another stage of the journey, pilgrimage, if you like, and I am still following the one who leads: Jesus.

I am notoriously clumsy.  I have often to “watch my feet” which have a tendency to trip over anything and everything that is underfoot.  The secret, of course, is to watch ahead, to tread in the prepared places where Jesus has gone before.  Not that there will be journeys without challenges, dangers, even,  but if I know that I place my footmarks in his I am headed in the right direction.

It’s time to step out!