It is again one of those weeks where you lose track of time.  Three day weekends seem to take more than two days to catch up.  Most of my time is spent trying to recall what the day is today.  My youngest enjoys it because it is one less day of school for the week.  Probably most kids enjoy weeks like this one.  The fires continue to rage all around here.  I do not know what it will take to quell this outbreak.  It is true that our normal East Texas country side will not be the same.

Our church is moving toward yet another transition.  Our student minister is moving to the Dallas area to work with another congregation.  We will and do wish him well.  The ministry will be very different than here but perhaps new avenues of ministry will open.  We will soon take on the task of seeking whomever God may wish to take up the call here.  Our past history is not very promising in this.  Our size and location seem to set limits on those who may have an interest in ministry.  Sunday will be his last day here in someways.  There is grief for his moving away.  Many will need time to gain traction without his constant presence.  My primary hope is for God to allow us to find a new person in far less time than average. 

His announcement led to some odd questions along the way.  A few people are inquiring whether or not I will be the next to go.  That was my topic this evening in our Wednesday gathering.  Some speculate if I would be moving soon to be closer to my daughter in college.  Perhaps some ask as they wish my departure was immanent.  My idea was to just be honest with the people gathered for our prayer time.  Eleven years of ministry in one place allows some freedom to be honest even if it is rare.  Some may be disappointed in my answers.  Maybe some are pleased in my response.  All one can do is tell the truth about a given situation.

There are two major reasons why the odds of my relocating are slim.  The first major problem is in my being a cancer survivor.  Not many churches are going to take a chance on me dying on them.  I even had one church tell me they probably would not consider me because of how much money they would need to spend on insurance.  That also soured my opinion of them as well.  Another reason comes down to my being old.  Fifty may not sound old but it is when churches talk to young guys.  Most congregations will opt for the younger version rather than experience.  This is not a matter of what is fair but it simply is what it is.

Some comment that part of adulthood is accepting your limits.  You learn to find joy in what truly matters.  Sometimes this means literally moving to a new place in life.  It can also mean finding contentment where you are in the present tense.  It is all part of being faithful to God wherever you are. 

Bro. Trey