25 Jun Making our Wants Few: An approach for these Days

Henry David Thoreau once wrote: “I make myself rich by making my wants few.”These words written so long ago are an apt description of how to find happiness and contentment these days. We continue to navigate these COVID-19 days with a degree of uncertainty, doing our best to stay informed and take practical steps to help avert the spread of the virus. Churches, schools, and businesses are all forced with difficult decisions relating to the pandemic.

Now I’m hearing about a Sahara dust cloud heading toward the United States. Nicknamed “Godzilla” for its unusually large size, the dust cloud began to emerge off western Africa. It has now traveled over 4,000 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico; we should be experiencing this phenomenon soon.

I’m resisting the urge to say, “What else could happen?” This year hasn’t turned out to be anything like anything any of us could have imagined.

It has been said that “we may be through with the virus, but the virus isn’t through with us.” With this in mind, our church staff has been seeking to lead us effectively and well through these frustrating times. Our desire has been to monitor changes and challenges related to the virus, seeking to be intentional about phasing in different activities along with way.

As you know, our church resumed in person worship services on June 7th. Obviously, our attendance hasn’t been close to what we’d consider normative. But, I am grateful for those who are with us in the building AND those who participate through our online media platforms. It’s important to be where you need to be during these days—just know that I miss seeing all of you!

I did want you to be aware that there will be a large group Sunday School class meeting at 9:30 am in the Family Life Center beginning July 12th. Lori Chisholm will be teaching a three Sunday series on “Faith over Fear” and I encourage you to participate.

Finally, please know of my sincere gratitude for your prayers and support related to the death of my mother. She lived to be 89 years old, yet her death was still a shock to us. Yet, she lived in a state of readiness to meet her Lord and now her faith has become sight. Lori, Cally, Lucy, Matt, and I are grateful for all the expressions of love and kindness; we are grateful to be part of your lives and have you in ours.

Let’s work on making our “wants” fewer and learning to find contentment in Jesus Christ alone. Our Lord is still speaking through His Word and has a purpose for us–nothing has taken God by surprise!
I’ll see you soon (in person or online)–And thanks Darryl Stair for the beautiful photo of our building!–DC