Moving Into New Space and New Call

Bill Johnson


Lumunos stands firm in the biblical tradition that “it ain’t over until it’s over.” That is especially true in terms of God’s call. ElderCall is a column that embodies that truth. In each issue a different Lumunos friend will reflect on the theme and their own sense of call.

by Bill Johnson


Last week we signed with a realtor. Now we are reluctantly discarding treasures of the past and loading suitcases for a trip south. In the process of sorting I came across this quote from a New York Times Magazine article.

"Home is a potent symbol of one's
place in the social universe, of how you
see yourself and how you want to be
seen in the world. Losing that place
can produce depression and anxiety."

“After the House is Gone”
Dr. Roselyn Dorlan

I am not feeling depressed, but perhaps somewhat anxious. Our house has been a potent symbol for many parts of our lives; leaving it is a loss. Marianne and I designed this house after a difficult period in our marriage. The house became one important symbol of coming together in a new way. I have been told that building a house will either bring you together, or head you toward
divorce court. While we had our share of disagreements, it became a wonderful dimension of renewal. We have loved this house because it has been so much more than just a place to live. In this space on the shores of Lake Michigan we have been able to be with family and close friends for relaxed interaction. We have celebrated birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, and lives well lived. It has also been a vehicle for the gift of hospitality. People have come for Sabbath rest or refuge; boards and committees of nonprofits have met. We will miss being able to offer healing space for others.

Stairs


I will not miss the stairs. There seem to be more of them every year and they also seem to get steeper. They are real...and a symbol for all the maintenance that has to be done. I grew up in a time when it was assumed that the man's role was to take care of house maintenance. I cannot do it any more, and frankly I never did it very well. However, it is a painful reminder of the aging process. I find myself feeling grateful for the simplicity of life in our new community in Florida. It was initially difficult to be seen in the world as living in a retirement community. Other residents looked older than I felt. I found that if I could leave my judgmental attitude and take the time to listen to others, I found them interesting. There are some remarkable life stories right here. Moving into a new community has also informed my sense of call. At 82 years of age, I still find listening for call important. Perhaps it becomes more imminent with the awareness of limited time. Ten years ago, my call still felt very active. I was teaching at a local university and also led workshops at a leadership development program. I made regular trips to Guatemala to work with groups building schools and bridges in the highland areas. I also served on the board of the Potter's House which provides different ministries for children and families living in the dump of Guatemala City. As I age I have come across very real physical limits and I have needed to release certain activities for health reasons. It became obvious that I could not continue to do all that I had been doing.

New Call


Slowly, a new sense of purpose has emerged. I am currently the chairman of our resident council at the retirement community. We are a liaison between the residents and the management and help to improve community life for all of us. We raise money for college tuition for the young staff who work here in service positions. We have recently negotiated with a local college to teach Life Long Learning classes on our campus. So I am becoming grateful for this new place. It is providing a community structure for me to still use my gifts and contribute in the world. And there are no stairs! More than anything, my call today is about being intentionally present to the people I meet each day. As others come into my life I simply try to be open to them. For instance, during a recent appointment with a young physician from Pakistan, I told him how much I appreciated his work. That led him to talk about his move to this country and his life here. Eventually there was a lively conversation including the nurses in the room about important life issues. It felt like "holy time." And so these days I try to contribute in small ways...to be present to whatever appears each day. That is what listening for God looks like at 82.

Bill Johnson lives in Vero Beach, Florida, with Marianne, his wife of 52 years. He is currently on the Elder Council of Lumunos, after having served on the board for many years.