Being Contented in Whatever State, City or Home We’re In

I loved it when we went around our Thanksgiving table sharing what we are grateful for, especially when we all spoke of people – not things – the things money can’t buy. Thanksgiving usually brings families "home". "Home' isn't necessarily the brick and mortar of the home we live in. For example, my oldest two grandsons and Ruthie (Braden’s wife) couldn't make it "home" to us this year. They were “home” with friends and family in Tennessee. I've realized "home" is where I am at the time. Home is Austin, Frisco, Tulsa and anything in between where I seem to "light". Home is family, friends, our church, the places where "contentment” abounds.

Before coming to us on Friday, Ryan, Shawntel, and the two younger boys traveled to Tulsa to see Granny for a couple of hours. Granny is my husband's Mom, and at 97 everyone wants to see her again – just in case. We just don't know if it could be the last time, so spending time with her is so important. Contentment in what matters most.

Then they headed to Spiro, OK, where Shawntel’s grandmother lives and where they eat outdoors to accommodate all of them. I love this year's photo of their big family gathering of 67 family members. It was pouring down rain so Grandma’s church opened their doors for them. I loved seeing them "home" with their precious grandmother – not at her home as usual, but her church “home”. Contentment.

At last my gang made their way to Frisco on Friday where we all sat around my table with added leaves, carrying on great conversation before starting to play a new game called “Chamaeleon” (I highly recommend it – so much fun). I held yet another treasure hunt for my Bryson’s 13th birthday celebration. My traditional day-after-Thanksgiving Waikiki meatballs were served with all the trimmings. Then on Saturday, we had our traditional breakfast at Larry and Staci’s, then our annual Thanksgiving movie. This year it was “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (Mr. Roger’s story with Tom Hanks). It was a movie we older kids can wrap our minds around about what “nice guy” looks like. It would serve us all well to be reminded how we should be in this age of so many not-so-nice-guys-and-gals. Then it was our "traditional" day-after-Thanksgiving dinner -- Mexican food. Our time together at Thanksgiving has always included my annual family photo being taken. It’s a must-do and though it was raining outside – my little home was the spot of contentment. Contentment in embracing family.

It won't be long before all these grandkids will be grown up with families of their own. Yes, I'm so grateful for the blessings of “contentment”. The greatest blessings on earth come without a price tag.

My buddy, the Apostle Paul, inspired another blog today as a read: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content.” Philippians 4:11

This is the time for counting our blessings and in finding contentment in all those things that money can’t buy. It means learning to live our lives as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much we've been given. Contentment shifts our focus from what our life lacks to the abundance of what we already have. Maybe, the best prescription we could take to dispel the common "woe-is-me" attitude is to be contented with what we have.

We just might be re-energized, have new vitality and excitement for this beautiful life in the neighborhood and our beautiful life in Christ our Savior. Our lives are made up of far more beauty than what we realize. I had many “contented” moments over the last several days. We celebrated so many blessings of this year – so many that were all about life’s treasures – each other. I am contented.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

I’m continuing on in my “We Need Each Other” campaign. I was inspired recently when I ran across a FB post that asked, “Remember this guy?” with a photo of this sharp looking, well-dressed man. Yes, I remember this really cool dude that greeted us daily on TV, Mr. Rogers. I apologize to you young’uns’ who were born too late to know him. Today, he'd have to come packaged as a rapper or be able to hip-hop dance for us to think him "cool". BTW -- the word "cool" is still in -- I checked! Mr. Rogers sang this to us: "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?" That was dear, Mr. Rogers! He made us feel that having neighbors was one of life's greatest gifts.

In Luke 10, Jesus told the scribe ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself" and the scribe replied, "But who is my neighbor?" That's when Jesus gave His brilliant explanation in a parable about the Good Samaritan. What a storyteller Jesus was! Mr. Rogers' stories were similar. He taught kids to love themselves and others.

Hands down, Jesus took neighboring to a whole new level when he talked about the Jewish man who had been stripped, beaten, robbed and left for dead by bandits. A priest and another religious man saw him but passed him by. The Samaritan (enemies to the Jews) saw him and was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he gave the innkeeper money and said, ‘Take good care of him. If you spend more than that, I’ll repay you when I come back.’ So, Jesus' answer to the scribe's question, "Who is my neighbor?" was answered when he said, "Go and do what the Samaritan did.”

Whew! In these days, that's a HUGE statement! It suggests that all of God's children must be our neighbors and we must love them just as the Samaritan man did! In this time of so much political hostility, biased opinions, questionable decisions being made about equality and what's right and wrong, I wonder if Jesus would still say the same thing today. After all, there is so much more to consider: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians, the poor, the homeless, the unattractive, gays, lesbians, the handicapped, the mentally ill, and countless other groups are still often the victims of ridicule, hatred, and discrimination.

So, then, the question really is: "Lord, there are so many that don’t agree with my philosophies, my faith, my values and my opinions, so then, WHO really is my neighbor?" I'm quite sure he's responding ALL MY KIDS are neighbors! After 2,000 years of Me telling you that.....nothing has changed in my record books. It's STILL 'Love your neighbors as you love yourselves!" L-O-V-E -- that's a 4-letter word to be AND do! That "LOVE your neighbor" admonition doesn't have UNLESS in it anywhere!