Home and Trying to be "/contented/ with whatsoever state I am"

When I was younger in the minsistry, I would observe some great brothers and sisters in Christ and their journey through various trials. Over the years I have read James 1 and his encouragement to believers in the "fiery trial." I've taught Paul's words from Philppians 4 that read: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need". But not until this last week have I had to deal with a trial that "I had to rely only upon God." I know that there are many of you that have gone through greater trials than I have. yet dealing with two deaths of the "fathers" in my life was very hard. They were both Godly examples. Finally, though the heart surgery God has put me through a great struggle Not that I haven't had hard things before. But there has been nothing that has made me so reliant upon the Lord than this. The Lord has brought me through various hardships, but none that look you in the face and say--you can't go on one without me. I'm writing to you on this just one week after I was operated on. The surgery was serious. My problem had to be dealt with. Praise the Lord I made it through. Now, for the next six to 12 weeks I will be reliant on God and Sarah, my kids and some of you to carry out the responsibilities that I maintained before. This is God's will. I'll take a another blog to mention prayer (many of you were steadfast in prayer for me). For our church it is God's will that others help more with some of the responsiblities. It is God's will that Trinity Baptist come forth as gold through the trials it is has experienced from death, denial of faith and sickness over this last year. May we grow and walk close with our Lord. May we be be full and abound in Him!!!