I can think back to a time not too long ago when I was in the midst of what I considered to be my last year of teaching. The decision at the time wasn’t one I took lightly and when I did decide to retire, felt comfortable with my choice. But it would seem somewhere along the way, with its numerous twists and turns, God had another plan in mind.
I was approached in the second half of the school year about taking an interim position at the school I had last worked. It would mean returning to the position I had just left, but at a much lower pay scale. I declined the position, reasoning that I would have all the duties of my former job at less pay. It just didn’t make a lot of sense from a “practical” standpoint.
Life continued on its course and I ventured down several roads in attempt to find out my retirement “calling.” I did substitute teach quite often and also taught remediation classes that afforded me the opportunity to work several days a week without the full time commitment. I never second-guessed my decision to turn down the interim post.
As time progressed, it became clear that God had other plans for my life. The same interim position was going to be available for the first couple of months of the new school year. I realized at that time that it was something that I was being called to do. I approached the powers that be and agreed to return to the job I had vacated, the interim position I had formerly turned down for financial considerations.
There are other circumstances that are becoming present that make it even clearer to me that this is the place God intends me to be, at least for the time being. So I’ll return to the same position that I had when I returned, working for substitute’s pay, with all the job duties of a full time employee. And through it all, I have to think God has had a laugh or two knowing that I am ending up doing what perhaps he wanted me to keep doing in the first place.
I have learned in life that we can make plans for the future and are many times prudent in doing so. But when we get so attached to those plans and the outcomes we intend, we may be wandering away from what God would have us to do. He has a way of putting us in the environment where our blessings can be shared with others to the fullest extent.
So as the first of the school year approaches, I’m planning the first two month’s lessons and thinking of bulletin board ideas and preparing myself for the ninety-some students that will be under my care for at least the first two months of the school year. I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve done during the time I’ve been retired. I think God can use all that we experience to help us realized the plans He has for us… whether or not it’s where we thought we were going.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
David Lee 
I hope you have a great beginning to this unexpected school year. I still think you were meant to retire so that you may refresh yourself, help out when needed and possibly do other things just as important to your life and maybe not your wallet all the other times. Keep up the good work.