Well here it is almost midnight but my heart is
burdened and the only way I know how to unburden some of the ache it feels is
to pour it all on paper. I thought I was
going to write an article going in a specific direction, but the Lord has just impressed
upon my heart to go in a different direction, with one word being the focal
point– contentment.
I know I write this in the wake of the appalling and
heart wrenching conditions in Connecticut, it’s just amazing to see how one
actually views life and what is truly important.
I know for me,
ashamedly, I admit that complaining is one of the battles I fight. I can
complain to God about how I don’t have a nice enough home, how I don’t have the
money that I want so I can spend it on the things I want, how the yard doesn’t that look immaculate –
you know the one that doesn’t have toys spread across the lawn, the makeshift
castle that my children built with pieces scattered throughout the yard, or
patches of mud where my kids decided they were going to have mud wars that causes
only patches of green grass all throughout my yard. Yet, as I take a step back
and look at my life again, through the eyes of Christ, (its amazing how well He
can see things in such greater perspective) I realize, I wouldn’t change a
thing.
My children are my greatest blessings in this life –
and if I never have another nice new shiny object – I think I will be okay with
that. I can get so caught up in not
being content I forget to look around at all the blessings the Lord truly has
given me; and the interesting thing is that He doesn’t just give blessings in
the form of finances – it’s in love, security, joy, and peace. To hear my
children’s laughter every day, to feel their hugs each morning and night, and
numerous times throughout the day is just too invaluable for me to ever part
with. Fancy house or not – nothing compares to having little arms about my neck
and the sweet whisper of, “Mommy, I love you.”
So as I go into this Christmas holiday – I must
remember that contentment has a huge part to play. Wasn’t it Christ who was
content to be born in a manger, so far away from home, from all the praise,
glory, and honor He truly deserves, just to be with me – me - the imperfect and
sometimes downright ugly human being – just so He could show me His heart and
His unfailing love?
A lump
has now filled my throat at all the times I have wasted complaining. Christ
didn’t come so that I could complain about how things don’t go my way – He came
to give me, everyone, life and life more abundantly. He is Christmas. He is our
reason to celebrate. So hug those around you, let’s be content with what we
have, and we will see the love of Christ in a way we’ve never seen Him before.
Open our eyes Lord – helps us to look out of our own little
life bubbles to those around us, help us to embrace all that You want us to
have – love, joy, peace, and knowing that all these come from a contented
heart. My heart aches for those families who have lost their precious little
ones -so let us be mindful of the real
reason we celebrate life –not for materialistic perishable things -but rather for
the loved ones we hold close. So hug your loved ones a bit tighter and may that
love always remain constant in the forefront of our minds.
John 9:10b “I came that they may
have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows).”
God doesn't promise us wealth as in material things - He does promise us life and a life full of joy to overflowing. So my question: Do I want materlistic things that won't bring me joy, or peace, or would I rather have peace, joy and contentment? I think I want what He wants to give me. :-)
