I have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes and through it the Lord has really been speaking to my heart about the issue of contentment. More specifically, I have been thinking and mediating on what it means to be truly content with where I am in life.
In this season of my life.
As the mom of small children.
With a body that’s recovering from bringing a baby into the world.
With a husband serving as a chaplain in the Army.
Over the last few days, these scripture verses have really stood out to me…
If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a still born child is better off than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:3
I can be so caught up with out own selfishness that I do not recognize or appreciate the many blessings that I have in this life.
I have been so blessed. I have four beautiful, healthy children who are growing up to love God and who love me so unconditionally even though my mistakes are many.
I have been blessed with a body that is able to bear children. Yes, it is hard to life with more weight on my bones than I am comfortable with. Yes, it can be hard to look in the mirror and not exactly like what I see, but this body is a blessing.
I have been blessed with a husband who loves me and our children and who works so hard for us all. He is a true leader in our home. He selflessly ministers to soldiers as God has called him to do.
To not be content with what we have, with the blessings that God has given is an affront to our gracious God.
We I have so much, but truly appreciate so little. This leads to a spirit of discontentment.
I have so many good things in this life. I should and I desire to cherish them for the blessings that they are.
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?†for it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
-Ecclesiastes 7:10
I really struggle with this…with truly being content with my present state.
I often look to the past and think “oh, life was so much better when….â€.
…when I only had two or three children.
…when I was thin.
…when I had numerous friends I could count on for support.
…when I didn’t have the responsibilities that I have now.
Or I look to the future and think, “things will get better when…â€
…when Jenny is three months old.
…when I can lose this weight.
…when we’re living on post again.
…when we move to the next assignment.
While it is nice to look back to the past or forward to the future, our thoughts should not dwell there.
It is not wise to dwell on how things were or how things will be.
It leads to an unsettling state of discontentment.
It would be so much better, wiser, to be content in the here and now. Cherishing this moment in time and being thankful for today, rather than yesterday or tomorrow.
I think that the scripture verse that I read today gives a clue about how we can do just that.
And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat, drink, and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
-Ecclesiastes 8:15
This shows, or commends, a life of joy and contentment.
This is the life that I want to embrace. A life of joy, where I can “eat, drink, and be joyful†in this present season of my life.
This state of contentment will when go with me in my work, as a stay at home mom of four small children, as the mother of a newborn, as the wife of an Army chaplain, through the days of my life that God has given to me.
Seasons of life are changing just as the seasons of the world change, but the key is to be fully content in whatever season I may be abiding in at the moment.
This contentment lends itself to a life of peaceful joy.
Are you fully content with this season of your life?
Will you join me in pursuing contentment and joy?
Liz says
I think God brought this post up in my twitter stream for a reason. I really appreciate this, and needed to read it. I will pursue contentment and joy in my life! Thanks so much for the reminder. 🙂
.-= Liz ´s last blog ..Why I Should Be An Energizer Smart ChargHer =-.
Cristine says
What a wonderful post! I think it is something we all need to be reminded of from time to time. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
.-= Cristine´s last blog ..Grilled Chicken Pita Salad =-.
Willma says
Thank you, Monica. I’m in the same boat.
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
You amaze me with your ability to step outside of yourself.
Thank you for sharing about something I’ve felt, but been unable to articulate as well as you have here. (hugs)
.-= Ann Marie @ Household6Diva´s last blog ..Kindred spirits =-.
Sherry says
It is so easy to want to look to keeping up with the Joneses. I know I’m guilty. I needed this post today. Thank you so much!!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Quality Sleep and a Giveaway- =-.
LifeAtTheCircus says
Thank you for sharing this. I would love to join you on this journey!
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..Incase You Were Wondering… =-.