Being content in the New Year

As I write this, 2011 is drawing to a close. By midnight tonight the new year would have arrived. This is the time of year when people dream up New Years resolutions - the most popular resolutions being:

• spending more time with family and friends
• getting fit/loose weight
• quite smoking/drinking
• enjoy life more
• get out of debt
• learn something new
• get organised

However, most people either forget or cannot maintain their New Year resolutions so with a short span of time they are long forgotten. Last year I thought I would "learn something new" and crocheting was going to be my thing. It never happened.  I did try but it was just "too hard".  However I did do a few other things that were not on my list, such as learn how to make jam and chutneys, make bread, improve my sewing, start embroidering and produce vegetables for my family.  These I have done all year and will continue into the new year.  I have also lost weight . . and will continue into 2012 (just need to encourage my DH to loose some too).

But there is something that I need to focus on in 2012, its something I struggle with, and I am sure I am not alone.  I live in a society of "wanting more" and believing that I deserve more, therefore it is even more important to learn how to be:

 

CONTENT

Being content is being happy with what you have and not always hungry what you don't have.  Contentment is being full. Contentment is counting your blessings, being thankful for all you have and not looking over the fence to see what the Jones have, that you might like.  Contentment is not looking at the latest shoe catalogue and wanting to buy them all.

. . .in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

Philippians 4:11

My first test with this lesson on contentment will come within a few months. A Directors position will be advertised. I could do the job.  I have all the skills and the expereince and winning would be an achievement. It would bring in extra money, it would be challenging BUT would I be content?  I know the answer to this question - the answer is NO.  Because, even though winning the job would bring financial rewards, what I loose with time spent with family cannot be replaced by money.  The time I now spend making jam, in the garden or baking for my family would be reduced because I would have less energy. All the time spent away from family cannot be replaced, once gone, it is gone forever.

What I have now makes me content . . . the Lord has provided for my family and we have all that we need, we do not need more, even though we like to think we do . . . this is a lesson I need to learn.  Being content with what the Lord has provide and not crave after what He has not provided.  I like this quote from "When God Weeps" (*) "When life isn't the way you like it, like it the way it is . . one day at a time with Christ.  And you will be blessed."

. . be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(Heb 13:5)

Here is an example of "contentment"

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

* by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes

~oOo~