Research agrees with those T-shirts retirees love to wear:  “Sorry, I’m too busy being retired.”

Studies of retirees show that they spend about the same amount of time as those still working on sleeping, grocery shopping, cooking and eating.  They must still spend the same time on personal care, like exercise and hygiene.  They still must care for their homes, themselves, their families.

Research concludes that retirees actually only gain a few extra hours each day.

This week we come to our fifth Christian imperative for aging well:  I will be available!  But, with our busy days and full planners, can we be available to serve our communities, care for family and friends, advocate for pressing causes?

This Sunday, in our worship, we’ll hear the familiar story, “The Good Samaritan.”  Each of those travelers on the road had plans for his day. But only one stopped to help the man they saw — robbed, wounded and left for dead.  Only one made himself available. 

Why did two travelers fail, while one did help?   We’ll explore that question this Sunday.