Contentment

I actually took my camera along everyday of our CRMI Board meetings this week but never even took a picture. We had pretty intense meetings with  many things to discuss and decide - a new direction for CRM Iwas needed and our goal was to see that direction (with the constant help of Our Lord) and make knowledgeable and intelligent decisions. We are so blessed to have a very strong board with the same goal in mind. (The luncheons were extremely excellent - provided by Coffee Zone, a local establishment). After three days of many questions and hopefully as many answers, we feel that CRMI is on the right path as God has laid out for us.

The mornings and for the most part the days, have been beautiful - the afternoons get a bit hot, but it is very clear that fall has really come to the Rio Grande Valley. A bit more activity on the roads as the Winter Texans return - gone are the days when the restaurants are not crowded, the roads are easy to navigate, and parking spots are easy to find. The return of the Winter Texans to the Valley means a huge increase in the economy, as they are noted for hunting - hunting out new places to eat!!!! We are glad to see old friends return, and sad to know that some are not returning, due to a variety of issues, as well as deaths and illness in the family. The quietness of our summer days are gone - but we are not complaining at all. It will be awesome to see the park full again.

This morning's worship service was again so uplifting and full of new ideas on the of concept of being content in your present surroundings. We face so many challenges and worry in the coming days, especially in the uncertainty of the upcoming election. Let God lead your heart in your vote and may He place the person of His choice in leadership. A study shows that we as Americans worry most about finances, corrupt officials, and terrorist groups. We cannot have a contented life if we constantly worry. A young couple, John and Ann, wanted to get married but Ann's parents were against it. She was only 16 and they objected to John so the young couple eloped across the state line and got married. Everyone was aghast and said it would be over in a few weeks. Now, 84 years later, they are still together - she is 100 and he is 104 - the longest living married couple in the US!!! When asked his secret, John replied that he was contented in whatever life brought to him and he learned to day ."yes, dear". In comparison we look at Merle Haggard who had 31 hit songs, 10 top chart albums, but spent time in prison and spent his life looking for something. He recently died a after saying "I am restless in my soul and will be there until I die". And so it was true. Where do you fall in contentment???  The contentment of Americans has not changed, despite all of the medical and technological advances and modern conveniences - studies show that it has actually declined. A higher standard of living does not lead to a higher contentment. Contentment is an inside job - that's right, it has to come from inside you. Paul was content in all of his circumstances - he wrote most of his letters to the churches in his time while in prison, encouraging the new churches to continue on in faith. The #1 key to contentment is to be a person of gratitude, remembering where true contentment comes from, "I can do all things through God who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13. Recognize what you have is blessed and be content it.

Please be in prayer for Chaplains Lee and Grace Tracy as they have returned to Nebraska due to the death of their daughter Melinda, who passed away Friday after her battle with cancer. Pray for comfort, peace, and bonding for the family, and safe travels for them all. I can see her hanging on the Golden Gates and yelling, "This is awesome".  There is a story to this - seeing Niagara Falls was on her bucket list, so a few months ago the family traveled to New York. As she stood on the deck of The Maid of the Mist, she pulled herself up on the railing and yelled "This is awesome".