From the Desk of Chaplain Crawley

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not at all mechanically minded. This lack of giftedness means that I am not naturally drawn to the maintenance of equipment. But have you considered that engines and other mechanical components are not the only items that need to be maintained? People and relationships need maintained as well. As this newsletter finds us about halfway through this deployment, evaluate what in your life may need a little TLC and maintenance. Be careful not to run yourself or your relationship into the ground simply because you are too busy to give them a little tune up. If you run your vehicle too long without giving it an oil change, it will eventually stop and force you to do something about it. If you don’t change out the oil on your own time and terms, the engine will eventually require it on its terms. How much better to stop on the way home from the store than to be stranded on the way home from the store! As the responsibilities of life continue to mound up, be sure to give yourself and your true priorities the time that they require. So, whether or not you know how to fix a transmission, we all can maintain ourselves if we simply put forth the time and effort. Don’t run yourself so hard that you break, but rather, put forth the time and effort to do some personal maintenance. You and all your loved ones will be glad you did!