I’ve been struggling a lot with this word. I’ve prayed for it more times than I can count. I’ve talked to my precious husband about what it truly means…to me, to us, to our family, and to our future. I think in all of this I am learning that far too often our society confuses contentment with stuff. The “If I have more _________ then I’ll be happy” mentality.
Have y’all seen the show Hoarders? I just sit watching it in amazement and complete sadness for the people that are filling their homes with stuff that doesn’t matter a hill of beans in the end. Scott jokes that TLC could do a show on me and call it “Purgers”. He swears I fill up a trash bag faster than anyone else he’s ever seen. I’m really not that bad but I do highly dislike clutter…or pillows out of place…or anything on the counter that isn’t supposed to be there…oh, and chairs not put back straight to the table, too. (On second thought, maybe I should see a doctor?) Okay, I’m getting off track…
Where was I again? Oh, yes, contentment….
Well, I don’t really have anything profound to say. Mostly just some rambling that I think I need to do anyhow so I figured I’d best write it down than talk to myself all night. (Yep, I’ll call the doctor first thing in the morning.) ;)
Y’all know now that we are going to list our home. Are we moving? I don’t know. That’ll depend on us selling and right now the market ain’t so hot…so, unless God’s got something up His sleeve and it is according to His Plan for us then most likely we’ll stay put. So…that part is in His Hands.
This is what’s in mine.
I’ve been cleaning out. Decluttering the little bit of clutter I’ve got. Taking down some photos (sad, I know) and trying to de-personalize our home a bit so any potential buyer could see themselves here. I’ve learned the hard way…through losing my mother at 16 and my daughter far sooner than I ever had imagined…that stuff is just stuff. It doesn’t fill any void. It may make it seem like they are a little closer for a little bit of time but, ultimately, it doesn’t do anything but be stuff. It can definitely be sentimental and, trust me, there is a huge rubbermaid container of all things that touched my baby girl that is the first thing to be thrown out the window in case of a fire. But, the reality of it is that it still doesn’t make me happy. And it never will.
This is what does…
God. His Word. His creation. His promises.
Plain and simple.
This world will throw everything at you to make you want more…the enemy is a sneaky one, you know. Pride, jealousy, envy, desire…these are his traits.
But, for me & my heart’s ultimate contentment, I want to be more like Him.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5: 22-23
6 comments:
Hi Lady! This post came at the EXACT time I needed to ready it. I have seriously been struggling with contentment lately! I'm sure you don't have a TON of extra time on your hands, but if you have a little while and want something great playing in the background check out this link (http://www.wpcgo.com/sermon_notes.htm) and scroll down and click "Gospel Contentment" from October 10, 2010 (you can fast-forward through all the music to the sermon if you want!). That's my church (and the contemporary service is "my" service! hehe) and I just really enjoyed/related to that particular sermon!
So, So true... all of it.
great post and one that I need to be reminded of often :)
PS: Love your blog! I am glad that we met!.... Now I've gotta go do some cleaning and throw away some "stuff"
Keep shining:)
You always write such inspiring words! Thank you so much!!!
I needed this today, Rebecca. Thank you. Love you, Kerri
It's all so basic yet hard at the same time. To be content should be easy! We make it difficult.
Hey, I would be on "Purgers" with you. I have zero attachment to "stuff". My co-workers joke and say a therapist would have a hay day with me and all of the reasons why I don't feel an attachment to things. :) I even want to throw out things other kids leave out...thankfully Joe stops me. Joe (and now even Brady) will look in the trashcan and say "why did you throw that away?"
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