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.

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.”