The Secret To Being Content
When my husband and I bought our first home it was everything I had hoped and prayed for: wood floors, big back yard, nothing to fix, lots of trees, close to my husbands work, family and friends, 2 bedrooms and lots of character. It was my dream home!
Our first son was a year and half and I was pregnant with our second son when we moved in. When he was born there was still plenty of room for both of them in our little abode. God had truly blessed us!
Fast forward eight years and we are still blessed and living in our little home, the only difference is that we have five children now instead of two!
Growing up I always envied big families. There was always someone to play with and something to do. I knew I wanted to have a big family when I got married! When I met my husband I have to say one of the things that attracted me to him was his big family. He has 7 siblings! When we were married he was also excited to start a family and if we were so blessed to keep adding to it!
Every time we welcome a sweet new babe into our little home; our joy has increased and our space has decreased but we keep stacking them up and stuffing them in! Though I have everything I have prayed for and more, I have had to fight the seeds of discontentment growing inside of me as our family has grown.
When I start to compare what I have, to the world's definition of what I need; I begin to believe the lie that I have too many children and not enough space. Instead of treasuring this precious time with my little ones I find my self dreaming about open floor plans, big kitchens and lots of closets. Frustration and annoyance often steal my joy and peace as I give in to voices all around me that say if I had a bigger house and more things, I wouldn't be so discontent.
My family and I pray to God that if it is his will he will provide us with a larger space for our growing family. I know that he hears us, and will bring it about in his perfect timing. There is just one thing I don't know...when that will be. So for right now I know he calls me to be content...in him.
When I start to look at all that I do have, instead of all that I don't have; overwhelming gratitude and joy fills my soul. I have done nothing to deserve all that God has given me...nothing, and yet he has seen fit to give me not only my hearts desires: a wonderful, loving husband and 5 beautiful, healthy children, but a roof over our heads and more food and clothes then we need.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." ( ESV 1 Timothy 6:6-8)
God is teaching me to be content with much and with little all at the same time. Its not always easy, I don't always learn quickly and respond in the right way but I am thankful for the eternal work that he is accomplishing through my family and I. He is ever pointing us to our heavenly home and calling us to lay our treasures up there, where our hearts will be fully satisfied in Him.
"For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ( NIV Philippians 4:11-13)
We have a great secret friends...Jesus is the one who empowers us to live for him in all that he has called us to do,with all that he has given us.
I haven't mastered this lesson yet, I am still learning it in many areas of my life, but I am looking forward to the day when I will never struggle again!
Are you struggling also with discontentment?
Start fixing your eyes on Jesus and thanking him for all that you do have... and watch your attitude change!
Linking up with: A Little R and R
this is such a great reminder............thank u for sharing it!!!!
ReplyDeleteyour welcome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! I loved reading your sweet thoughts and intention to maintain contentment. That's a very great lesson which takes most people a long time to learn. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI came across your latest post today, (playing hookey from homechooling) via Facebook and I just had to read other entries. You expressed my feelings exactly on that post, and this one as well! I am also a mother of five (the last two being 14 months apart). Homeschooling has been challenging and there are times when I have to check my attitude about our home. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! It isn't always easy doing what you know God wants you to do! I am so glad I am not the only one who struggles!! But God is so faithful, I know he is doing a work in our hearts to conform us to his image. Keep persevering!
Deletethis made my heart swell with gratitude:) comparison really is a thief of joy, thanks for the reminder! #lookinguplinkup
ReplyDeleteSo blessed that you were encouraged!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your many blessings with all of us. I also appreciate the transparency in which you admitted your struggles with contentment.
ReplyDeleteI think now more than ever it is so hard to be content when we have social media "showing us everything everybody has", but the truth of the matter is, what people show on Facebook is the good in their lives of which we should not be coveting but rejoicing with them, but the flip side to that is their lives have difficulties just like ours do.
Like you, I do struggle with contentment. Thank you for the Scriptural reminders of where our contentment lies. :-)
Yes, we all struggle at times but will never be content until we find ourselves in Jesus.
DeleteThese are the verse that help us get through a long and difficult time with infertility. I clung to them every day like my life depended on them.
ReplyDeleteHis words are so comforting in our times of need. Our lives do depend on them even when we don't realize it.
DeleteGreat reminder about contentment - it is a matter of concentrating on what you have and being grateful for it. #LookingUp Link up
ReplyDeleteAmen!
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