"Missing"

     In the early ninety’s I had the privilege to take several groups into the Ukraine’s to do some mission work.  In preparing for such a trip I spoke to those who would be going about does and don’ts what to expect and things they may want to pack to make the trip more pleasant.  Things that they may consider were snacks, for long days or when the local food was not to their liking, or a water bottle they could carry with them.  One of the items that I suggested was to take a role of toilet paper with them because if you could find a public facility it seldom had toilet paper and if it did it had the texture and feel of a brown paper bag, not to the liking of any one I know.  The trip was taken and we set up our classrooms where we would hold our bible studies in what was called the Palace of Culture.  It was a beautiful building of marble and granite where the locals came for plays, concerts, and other performances.  I’m not sure how old the building was but my guess would be that it had been built at the beginning of the 1900’s or possible much earlier.  Because of what had been done in preparation for the trip I was not surprised when I saw a member of the group headed down to the lower basement area one day with a roll of toilet paper in their hand.  As they returned they had a rather puzzled look on their face and I asked if everything was ok?  Their response was, “I knew I would need toilet paper but I didn’t realize I would need a toilet also.”  Having made the trip down stairs myself I knew exactly what they were talking about.  The building had been built well before the time of modern plumbing and when you entered the bathroom all you found was a series of holes in the floor for you to stand over.  There is much we take for granted each and every day.  We live in a time in our country that it seems all that we could ever want or desire is at our finger tips.  In comparison to others around the world we live a life of abundance.  We not only have an abundance of goods we keep piling it on.  A quick Google search of Madison county found over twenty self-storage facilities and I know of several others that are being built.  We not only have an abundance, we rent extra space to hold the overflow of items that we are not using and didn’t really need to begin with.  How much stuff is enough?  I have been in homes where I was offered a piece of bread and a rock to sit on and they were joyful people.  I have known homes where no one lacked for anything and there was nothing but unrest.  The things that are available to us in this world are not necessarily bad but if it is our focus than we are putting our trust in the wrong things.  There is not a promise that a 10 x 20 storage facility full of items that you will never use will bring happiness.  How much simpler our lives would be if we could live 1 Tim 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  I am not saying that I myself have gained this contentment for it is a struggle each day when the world has a message that more is better.  As children of God no matter our state or lot in this life we have no excuse not to be content.  The writer of Hebrews 13:5-6 states, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  I am never alone and he who created all and is over all is my helper.  Let us strive for contentment for we are blessed.