Contentment
Contentment is a strange thing. I believe it is something we all seek after, or more aptly put, we seek after things which we believe would bring contentment.
As a young boy growing up in East Texas, my father used a phrase that often echoes from my own lips to my children when we go through some of those “I want, I want, I want” phases. ” YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED, BUT NOW YOU DON’T WANT WHAT YOU GOT” You see, strangely enough, we often go through lots of plotting, planning, action, and occaisionaly a little bit of manipulation, and often some type of tantrum to get what we dont have, and when we get it, realize that we really dont want it.
Somewhere along the way, and perhaps as parents we teach it to our kids, or we just struggle with fighting something that is inherrent, the feeling of discontentment. I often laugh as I think of my childhood, growing up in rural East Texas. My summer’s were spent running through the woods, playing with sticks and rocks and having the time of my life. At night I could lay in my bed, in the room I shared with my brothers, and see the moon and stars through the worn roof of our home. Even better would be when one of those famous gully washers (country term for a hard rain!) would sweep in and my brothers and I would scramble to the kitchen and start droping pots and pans all throughout the house to catch the rain water as it pour in through the cracks. We would laugh and never thought anything was odd about it, it was just life.
Now I find myself stressing over keeping the rent paid on a six bedroom home with two living areas. Sweatting the time it takes to get one of the two Xbox consoles back from repair, thinking what will the kids do without it. Looking at my job and feeling like I dont make enough money.
I pause and think, I must be crazy! I long for those simple days of carefree running and playing, but remember I could not wait to go out into the world and be working man! Today, appreciate all that you have! Moments fly by and getting what you want is not always better!!
Philippians 4:11- 13
I am not saying this because I am in need, 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.
