I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I learned about contentment in the state of Montana.
There I met Art and Lucille, a Norwegian couple who were part of the first congregation I served. They were in their 80s when I knew them. They introduced me to sharing coffee as the “third sacrament” of life. In Advent, Lucille showed me how to roll krumkake, getting ready to share at Christmas. For Palm Sunday, Art brought in armfuls of pussy willows, assuring me that pussy willows on Palm Sunday made sense if you lived in Montana or had come from Norway. Art and Lucille had met up with the faithful Savior and the God of abundance. They lived a true and trustworthy life in humility and faith. In them I recognized what it is to live life in abundance, confident and content. I stood with Lucille on the windy plains when Art was buried. “Takk for alt” it said on his gravestone. Thanks for everything.
We can learn to live in contentment. We can share in abundance. God has promised to provide for our every need. God’s grace is sufficient, more than enough, abundant.
This message is excerpted from “There is always enough” by Gail Heidke from the September 28, 2023, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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