Secret to Contentment-August 7 2025

When I think about my dad, Floyd Earney, I’m reminded of the incredible legacy he left to his children and grandchildren. To me, he was “Papa,” and he discovered something that many spend their whole lives searching for elusively…the secret to contentment.

It’s not really a secret, of course. God tells us plainly in His Word how to be content, even in the middle of chaos. But so many people are searching for peace, satisfaction, and contentment in all the wrong places. They think it’s found in “more,” or in “if only.” If only I had more money. If only I had a better job. If only I had children, or a bigger house, or a newer car. That list of “if onlys” and “mores” could go on forever. But "more" never satisfies, no matter who you are.

True peace and contentment…the kind that satisfies the soul…can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Floyd Earney knew that. He was the most contented person I have ever known. God had blessed him with financial means, but wealth was never his goal. He could have lived in a much bigger house, but he didn’t feel the need. He chose a life that was simple and uncluttered. He learned to delight in the little things…those unhurried, quiet moments that others might tend to overlook.

Papa was a true birder. He could name every bird, even in flight. He had a deep love for nature, and his vegetable garden was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. But above all, he loved studying God’s Word. It was not unusual to find him up before dawn, Bible open, soaking in Scripture while the rest of the house still slept.

He was a man of deep integrity. His word was his bond, and everyone who knew him knew that to be true.

When my mother passed away, my brother was 23, I was 21, and my sister, Candy, was just 11. That’s when I saw my dad rise into the man God created him to be in a profound way. He took on the role of both mother and father to an 11 year old without hesitation. My sister and I often smile (and sometimes laugh) at the many memories of those early years…moments full of both sweetness and humor as Papa and Candy navigated an unfamiliar road together.

But Papa never skipped a beat. He carried that responsibility with grace, strength, and honor. And through it all, he never lost his peace...because he had discovered the true source of contentment. He had that intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. And that is exactly the legacy my Dad left us. And it is more valuable than anything money could ever buy.

Thank You, Lord God, for blessing us with a father like Floyd Earney!

"Godliness with contentment is great gain..." I Timothy 6:6