GOD HAD DIFFERENT PLANS

Bill White (Ret.)

Signal Mountain, TN, Police Department

Compared to most, I was old when I entered law enforcement. At age 40 I had moved from Chicago to Chattanooga, left real estate, and become a reserve officer with the sheriff’s department. Two years later, I became a full-time patrol officer for the Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Police Department, “up the hill” from Chattanooga. I loved my job and the time it gave me to spend with family. Then, “bang,” the town council instituted mandatory retirement at age 60. After 18 years with the department—six years from expected retirement—I was to be unemployed! One month from my 60th birthday I found myself on the outside looking in!

At first, I was devastated. Retirement at any time is an adjustment, but when it comes unexpectedly, and you find yourself with only a third of your former income, it’s even worse! This was not what I had expected and certainly not the direction I wanted my life to take. Having a lot of time off seems great at first, but then reality sets in!

After five months out of work and running down various leads, I learned of an opportunity to work for a private company contracted by the Federal Protective Service (Department of Homeland Security). After an exhaustive background check and a six-month hiring process, I was back at work—providing security at the Federal Building in my hometown.

The end result? My salary and pension combined are 40 percent more than what I earned as a patrol officer, more than enough to get me debt-free and fully prepared for retirement when it finally comes. Not only that, I am quite happy in my new environment.

At first, I thought my forced retirement was a cruel joke. But I’ve come to realize God was in it all the way. He knew what I needed from every standpoint: income, work situation, less stress, more time with my wife, and more time to reflect on God’s greatness. What happened was a blessing from God! It just took me a while to understand that God works wonders and that He takes care of fools like me. He can point you in a better direction than the one you’ve chosen for yourself. If you haven’t yet learned it, God has His hand in everything we do. Like me, I hope you praise and thank Him every day for all the wonderful gifts we receive from Him.

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