My Word for 2019

I’ve heard several people speak about the word they've chosen in making faith declarations for this new year Following suit, I selected my word and I really do intend to embrace it this year. My word is “content”.

I watch my children’s pets and all those critters seem to be so content. Just feed them, give them a little rub around their ears or tummies and they’ll love you for a lifetime. Being content isn’t so easy for us humans. Even St. Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11). He LEARNED to be content. That sure gives me hope and it also gives me the desire to get in on the “learning curve” of contentment. So if Paul says he “learned” to be content (from a Roman prison cell) then, apparently, contentment isn’t naturally born inside us but it’s something we have to practice and be sure it’s our “condition” -- whatever circumstance we are in.

I’ve practiced and acquired a good measure of contentment. Once the word was foreign to me. I was so used to striving, worrying and being stress-filled that I lived in anxiety and fear. Then I started understanding the beauty of contentment and now, more than ever, I want my feet planted on “contentment” ground, and my eyes open to what’s around me. I want to understand more of the mystery of contentment.

When I look at the definition of contentment I can tell being content means being satisfied with what we have and who we are. It’s not settling or passivity; it’s about life and growth. It is these words from the Psalmist: “I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (Psalm 131:2). These words are beautiful to me because they are about closeness that comes from love and not from want. Paul learned to be content in all conditions. It didn’t come naturally to him, and it wasn’t an instantaneous transformation. It is a process, something that we learn from walking with God each day. Key to this process is understanding that everything, major and minor, is under God’s sovereignty. He uses all our circumstances to train us in godliness if we submit to Him and trust Him. Our attitude in trials and our deliberate submission to His sovereignty in the trial is crucial. This is what I long for between me and God.

In practical terms, this is what “contentment” means to me:
✔️It's being thankful I woke up and God started me on my way.
✔️It's nestling down in my comfy chair, reading the post I wrote yesterday with a fresh perspective, editing where needed, and then hitting the “Share” button, while praying God guides eyes to fall on it by those who need those words the most.
✔️ It’s writing a quick, simple, thanksgiving entry into my journal every morning about the day before.
✔️It’s my morning “love” text messages that I send to my four children (my two and their spouses) and know they heard a positive word from their mama at the start of their day.
✔️It's intentionally spending time with people who are encouraging to me and me intentionally encouraging others.
✔️It's being able to say "It is well with my soul."

My word could have been a wow, bold, audacious, adventurous, explosive word of great and notable expectations. But maybe in this chaotic, busy and get-to-the-top-mindset world, contentment is a big, bold word. It seems daring and brave to look at what’s in our hands and our lives and say, “This is enough.”

Back to those easy going, non-complaining, satisfied and CONTENTED animals who express “It is well” most all the time. I raise my water glass to them in a silent toast and an unspoken "Amen" to my Maker Who makes it so for them and "It is well" for me. It is shouldering up to my "apostle" friend, St. Paul, and declaring “I, too, have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”