Serving Christ in Retirement (or any time really)
Lorraine Hiller was saved in 1983. Now in retirement, and as a widow, she uses the time and energy God has given her to serve her Lord and Saviour in whatever way she can.
The photo shows Lorraine about 8:30am on Sunday morning setting up for church. On this (and most Sunday mornings), after welcoming people, she cared for children in the crèche. Then, after disinfecting tables and chairs, she attended the 10:45 service encouraging whomever she could. After 12 noon she cleaned again and helped pack up. She then went home and marked the rolls in our database to care for each member of our morning congregations.
And it’s not just Sunday mornings. Lorraine is a valuable voluntary member of our staff team. She leads a Bible study group, cares for children so others can attend Bible study, hosts Christianity explored, meets with women one to one, calls to encourage people who haven’t been to church for a while, shows hospitality, helps with practical things around the church office, etc, etc. She does whatever needs doing.
Lorraine is also likely to be quite embarrassed to be commended in this public way. Most of what she does is happily ‘behind the scenes’. She would also be quick to tell you of her own sin and weakness, but she knows Christ’s love and she longs to see others also know Him and live for Him. That’s why she arranges her life to do what she can to serve the Lord by making and growing disciples of all nations.
I love what Paul writes about one of his co-workers in Philippians 2. He wants to commend Timothy to the church in Philippi, and also to commend his Christ-like example. He says:
I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father. (v 20-22)
Lorraine is not Timothy, and I am not the apostle Paul. And it’s not true to say I have ‘no one else like minded’ as there are many in our church who serve in this way, seeking not their own interests, but those of Jesus Christ. And yet, as Paul says about Timothy, I do want to say: I have few others like her.
My hope is that not only will you thank God for Lorraine’s service of others, but that you might follow her example and make the most of whatever situation you’re in to serve others for the sake of Christ.
Neil