During our active retirement , my wife and I decided to flip a few houses—buy, renovate, and sell them—for fun. We both liked to watch do-it-yourself home improvement shows on television and even came up with a name for our own pretend show: Senior Flippers. I enjoy working on houses and had done plenty of work as a handyman. I didn’t know, however, that this venture would bring so many challenges—and rewards.

I did much of the work on the houses myself, from the initial demolition to the finishing touches. I woke up each day ready to tackle the challenges ahead. I enjoyed the work, knowing that this labor of love was for a good purpose, and my wife and I were united in our desire to supply good homes for their future owners. The work was hard, and I put in long hours working on two houses at the same time. 

One day, I hurt my back while working. That old saying “No good deed goes unpunished” came to thought, but I firmly denied that it had any validity. I knew that this was not a law of God, who is inexhaustible, ministering Love. I prayed, affirming spiritual facts about God, good, and about myself as His “very good” creation (see Genesis 1:31).