I'm retiring in a few months after 38 years on the same job. All my life I've looked forward to the day when I wouldn't have to work any more but now I'm dreading it. Suddenly, I realize I'm going to be bored out of my mind. What can I do? — G.S.

I suspect many retirees (and future retirees) have felt like you do. One reason I wanted to reprint your question is because I hope it will make people stop and think more realistically about their own retirement. The best time to prepare for retirement is long before it ever occurs.

A friend of mine says he learned to think of his retirement not as the end of his career, but as a change of careers. Instead of spending his first few months of retirement catching up on chores and then sitting around watching television and being bored, he became involved as a volunteer in his church, and also with a community service organization. "Why should I sit around doing nothing," he said, "when so many people need my help?"

Listen: God is more concerned about your retirement years than you are. He loves you and knows what is best for you. Pray about these years God is giving you and commit them to Him, asking Him to guide you and help you make them productive. May you be able to say with the Psalmist, "My times are in your hands" (Psalm 31:15).

Let these be years when you grow closer to God. If you've never committed your life to Christ, make your decision now. Then make it your goal to grow closer Him, until the day He calls you to your heavenly rest.