It was so good worshipping with my church family Sunday morning after being away for the last 2 or 3 weeks. What more can you ask for than to have a loving and supportive church where God’s biblical truths are preached every week! Each member was a blessing to me this morning from 4-year-old Ray to Ruth, who turns 100 years old in June. Happy birthday Ruth, you’re an amazing lady!
Pastor Jim’s message this morning was labeled “Finding Contentment” and was from the book of Ecclesiastes. What I took away from the message is that there are times when we should be content but we’re not because we are looking for more or better; a better job, a bigger house, more money, more clothes, the list goes on. Then there are times when we should not be content, such as when we know that there is injustice happening around this world and the poor is being abused and oppressed. In Psalm 82, verse 3 and 4 tells us to “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked” (KJV). How is it that we can spend so much time, effort and money trying to find contentment by striving for more or better worldly goods but won’t acknowledge the pain and suffering that occurs all around us? How long will He allow us to be content in our ignorance to the injustice and poverty happening throughout this earth?
My road to Uganda took me to Arkansas this month. My cousin, Kay, has graciously offered to store some of my furniture while I’m in Uganda. So I packed up my car and a large UHaul trailer and headed to Arkansas. Because of the trailer or rather, because of the driver (me) who never towed before, the drive was long and slow. UHaul recommended a speed limit of 55 and I pretty much stuck with that speed especially going over the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee. This was the first time my 8-year-old car has towed so I wasn’t sure how the engine or transmission was going to react so I played it safe. It was a beautiful drive, except that it rain the whole drive through Virginia. When I headed back home the drive was much smoother but not necessarily quicker. I stopped a few times to enjoy the sites and of course when I passed through Memphis, I had to slow down for a possible Elvis sighting.
Blue Ridge Mountains
The sun was also back out in Virginia so I stopped along the Blue Ridge mountains and did a couple of short hikes. The views were breathtaking.
Clinton Library
I really enjoyed myself in Arkansas and got some much needed R & R. Kay and her family absolutely spoiled me while I was visiting. The weather was beautiful, not to hot but warm enough to sit out in the evenings. I visited the Clinton Library (but please don’t let my Aunt Thelma know this). It was interesting and well designed on the inside but the outside architecture is, well, unique to say the least. I’ve visited Little Rock’s old state house and the current state house, which is almost a replica of the Capitol in DC. I visited the National Historic Park for Little Rock Nine and had a tour of the Little Rock Central High School. In September 1957, this was the scene where Brown vs. Board of Education was challenged when nine black students tried to enter the segregated Little Rock Central High school. It took several days and the U.S. Army but these brave students stood firm against segregation and the rest is history. I also toured Heifer International. They have a Heifer project only a few miles from me which I have never visited but I travel over 1500 miles and do so!
Little Rock really has a lot to offer for sightseeing and the best part is that they are free!
Well, my house is back on the market! The buyers I had been waiting on couldn’t secure financing. When I was told the closing would occur on April 20 I moved, sold or gave away the contents of the house and now it’s completely empty. So now I’m “camping” in my house. It’s not that bad though! I discovered that the air mattress I’m sleeping on is much more comfortable than my old bed mattress and there’s a lot less cleaning to do around the house! As Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 11-13, I think God is wanting me to be content in whatever the circumstances. I can also find contentment in knowing that what I do, I do for the Lord.
Hi, Nancy, I enjoyed reading your blog post. BLESS YOU as you are in this transition stage. May God give you oodles of His grace for every moment!
I especially appreciate your insights on the fact that sometimes we’re supposed to be content, and other times our God-given response should be lack of contentment over things that are not right. So true! Thanks so much for pointing that out.
I look forward to your future posts.
Linda
Linda, thank you for your comments. I know that any inconvenience God may be allowing in my life at this time is lessons in preparation for the mission field.