My paternal grandmother passed away before I was born so I never got a chance to know her. My dad adored her and said she had a great sense of humor. She loved April Fool’s Day and the chance to tease both him and his brother in one way or another. But, he also reported that she never put up with hearing, “I’m bored!” They learned not to say that because she would just hand them a broom and put them to work.
In the thick of raising kids, taking care of a home, and/or working full-time, boredom seldom enters the picture. There’s simply no time for it. Later in life, however, the long-awaited retirement comes and boredom can easily revisit. Certainly many retirees fill their hours with various volunteer positions. Others are tired of having the clock run their lives so they keep a great deal of time open. Isn’t it nice to be able to sleep longer (if you aren’t plagued by insomnia, that is)? Of course, there are always things to do to maintain a house. And, some do puzzles or craft projects or read. But, with seven days in a week and not much on the schedule, it’s easy to fall back into the “I’m bored” syndrome.
What’s up with that? Do old folks revert back to children? (Never mind that my handwriting now resembles that of a five-year old). There’s no mom to hand us a broom and imply, “Get busy.” So, what do we do?
Maybe being bored is an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect on our blessings. An opportunity to appreciate the world God created and His creation that surrounds us. An opportunity to pause and listen for His voice in the quiet. An opportunity to rest.
Is that so bad?
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Wow did I need to read this today. I just finished journaling about how much time I have these days. I was asking myself if I was wasting my time or using it to honor God. My previous years were filled with work, family, church activities and caring for my husband. Now the house is empty and time seems to stand still. I wonder if God is looking at me and saying “don’t just sit there, do something”. But then I remember how many birthday cards I remember to send these days, how many phone calls I make to grandchildren who live so far away. I can “mosey” through my back yard and smell (literally) my roses. I sit on my swing and sing hymns to Jesus. I listen to so many beautiful books about the God I love and hear so many beautiful worship songs. I have time to journal and write letters and most of all I have time to Pray. My doing is now mostly praying and connecting to the ones I love. So I can say I am not bored. Time doesn’t look the same but it is not being wasted. My time still honors the one I love
P.S. I also had the time to write this twice as I deleted it the first time by accident
Thx for that Teri. Just try to stay busy but not always possible! Reading your blog is always a pleasure!
Thanks Teri (and Anna May). Your grandmother sounds like my mom. We were afraid to say we were bored for fear of what she’d make us do! When I first retired I carried a lot of guilt over having free time. And so I decided to read the Bible; all of it. I still had free time but now I was learning how to use it. Time spent with, and doing for God is never boring, and as opportunities for time with God present themselves, we should be thankful for that time He’s given us. (Bill says I sound like you-know-who with a word salad!)
Good word … opportunity! We shouldn’t waste it. My mom always said that ONLY boring people were bored! When it slipped from my lips I quickly found a broom or a rake placed in my hand.
I also was handed a broom or a rake or hedge clippers or knife and a sack to dig dandelion greens out of the yard. Rarely bored. Now I have time for a Bible study like CBS I couldn’t attend while working.
Nice! It is the perfect time to have a chat with God.
My kids say it sometimes, I need to adopt that broom trick!