Our oldest sister Jan retired several years ago after being office manager of her local plumbing and heating store for a number of years. It was a 'second career' after being a stay-at-home mom while raising their four children.

As she prepared to retire, often she would get this question, "What are you going to do when you no longer work?" She wasn't sure. She isn't much of joiner for things which happen weekly or monthly.

But as time passed, Jan said she knew 'what she was going to do when she grew up?' She was going to be 'available'.

And she was played the role well! Available to her kids, grandchildren, and/or great-children, as she becomes emergency 'kid sitters'. Helping to tutor a grandson, attending sporting events and music programs. More available than the rest of our siblings to our mom and our uncle, as they moved toward and through their 90s....for visits, rides. taking them to church each week......maybe lunch afterwards! Since she loves garage sales, she is the 'garage sale queen' buying things for a Minneapolis area homeless shelter, delivering sometimes a carload of bargains to it.

Now it is Jim and my turn, as Jim Is becoming more and more needy of care. She and her husband Fred are frequent visitors. Jan volunteers to make lunch, come stay if I need to be gone any time.

She is available.

I wonder if that is what God wants from us. Some He might want to become missionaries or ministers; others He might need to teach a Sunday School class or lead a youth group.

But all of us, He wants to be available to Him. To do His good work. Not just once a month or once a week. But every day and in every way. Might be a good word or a kind deed; even a kind thought.

Dear Jesus, help me as I start, or continue, my new career of being available to You, to do Your good purposes or will in Your world, our world, my world. Show me, or as I heard last week from a friend 'we are hanging on to You and going through together'. Amen.