“Redefining Retirement” columnist Laura Lee Leathers often interviews retirement-age folks who are living out their faith boldly – but we thought it was time to turn the tables and ask her a few questions! Here is a recent interview with Laura and MCL Editor Katie Ginn.
Laura’s view from her outdoor office at home in rural Mississippi.
Katie Ginn: Who told you about Jesus?
Laura Lee Leathers: My paternal grandmother, Sunday school classes, and a friend in grade school. Around age 12, I won an opportunity to attend a children’s Bible camp. It was here that I repented of my sin and placed my faith in Jesus.
KG: What did you do before “retirement”?
LL: Officially, I’ve never worked anywhere for more than nine years. I’ve done homeschooling, I was a secretary and bookkeeper, I operated a tearoom, and I was an event planner and caterer.
I’ve spent more years involved in women’s ministry. My longest continuous work has been through Tea Times Treasures, a ministry founded in the late 1990s. Through that I have been speaking, writing, and creating tea-themed parties.
KG: What did you think you’d do after retirement?
LL: I didn’t think about what life would look like after age 50. Life was all about the immediate family and farm needs, and retirement seemed far away. I thought I would be involved in mission trips and caring for grandchildren.
I would recommend that people think more about their goals for retirement but hold loosely to expectations. Life gives us challenges, things we cannot control, that can change the trajectory of our lives.
The Bible tells us to fear the Lord, trust Him, and rely upon His Word for guidance. We are warned not to boast about tomorrow because we don’t know what will happen.
KG: What has your actual “retirement” looked like?
LL: When I knew it was time to start a new chapter, the Lord impressed upon my heart that it would be about caregiving and writing. I left my employer and cared for my mother for the last three months of her life.
Several months later, new opportunities to write developed. In God’s timing, I am a full-time freelance writer and speaker. Writing means more traveling, meeting new people and learning their stories. And I love spending time with my grandchildren and gardening.
KG: What do you believe your calling is right now?
LL: Many years ago, my prayer was, “Lord, I want to be a woman You can use.”
Since the mid-1990s, women’s ministry and sharing God’s Word has been my calling. Now my goal is to encourage women to flourish in faith and finish well by His Word.
Through writing, I can share God’s Word, teach, write devotionals, and share stories about people engaged in ministry and missions. From my home office in rural Mississippi, I can reach the world with the gospel.
God has answered my prayer. I think that is why my life’s verse is Ephesians 3:20-21.
KG: What are the biggest things that help you fulfill that calling?
LL: Going to God’s Word for truth, wisdom, guidance, comfort, encouragement, and ideas; Praying about everything; relying upon godly women who pray, encourage, listen to my ideas, support my endeavors, and give counsel; and engaging with writer’s critique groups, conferences, and Zoom meetings helps tremendously.
Visit Laura at LauraLeeLeathers.com or email her at laura.l.leathers@gmail.com. Also, check out the July 26, 2023 episode of the “Staying Real About Faith and Family” podcast to hear her speak on godly principles to live by as we mature.
