Love, consolation and peace bloom only in the garden of sweet contentment." - Martha Anderson
I love that quote. It gets me oh so centered and focused.
I'm not real great at being content. Actually, I'm probably one of the world’s worst, always thinking that I need this or that to finally get my soul satisfied. But what I'm learning is that contentment is more of a decision than anything else.
Paul, the writer of Philippians says.... “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:11-12
I love that quote. It gets me oh so centered and focused.
I'm not real great at being content. Actually, I'm probably one of the world’s worst, always thinking that I need this or that to finally get my soul satisfied. But what I'm learning is that contentment is more of a decision than anything else.
Paul, the writer of Philippians says.... “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:11-12
I JUST LOVE THAT!!! Or, as Chonda would say, “ Isn’t that just precious!!!”
Well, I have decided that I'm gonna pursue a Paul-like passion for contentment and for Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, Yet true godliness and contentment is itself great wealth.
Godliness AND contentment. Now that is an unstoppable combination, isn't it? Know what else I'm learning? I'm realizing that I can't create either one of those things on my own - much less both of them. If I could - my ego would be as big as my hips!!!! Nope. I need God…. His word….. and His people to encourage me on in this contentment quest. I can't do it alone.
" Women of adventure have conquered their fates and know how to live exciting and fulfilling lives right where they are (emphasis mine!). They have learned to reinvent themselves and find creative ways to enjoy the world and their place in it." - Barbara Jenkins
Did you get that?....the "RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE" part? WOW!!!! That's good. I mean that is REALLY GOOD!!! And the whole thing about "reinventing themselves". It makes me wonder.... so what do YOU think those phrases mean..."right where you are" and "reinventing yourself"? Any thoughts? Please, share! (If anyone is reading this!).
Well, I have decided that I'm gonna pursue a Paul-like passion for contentment and for Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, Yet true godliness and contentment is itself great wealth.
Godliness AND contentment. Now that is an unstoppable combination, isn't it? Know what else I'm learning? I'm realizing that I can't create either one of those things on my own - much less both of them. If I could - my ego would be as big as my hips!!!! Nope. I need God…. His word….. and His people to encourage me on in this contentment quest. I can't do it alone.
" Women of adventure have conquered their fates and know how to live exciting and fulfilling lives right where they are (emphasis mine!). They have learned to reinvent themselves and find creative ways to enjoy the world and their place in it." - Barbara Jenkins
Did you get that?....the "RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE" part? WOW!!!! That's good. I mean that is REALLY GOOD!!! And the whole thing about "reinventing themselves". It makes me wonder.... so what do YOU think those phrases mean..."right where you are" and "reinventing yourself"? Any thoughts? Please, share! (If anyone is reading this!).
Anyway, as I mentioned in my last post - I've been thinking about the upcoming year lately. The year is more than half gone already, and as I was looking back over my list of NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS I saw that contentment is in the top 5. Boy, have I almost blown it. I know. It won't be easy. Contentment is a tough one. But oh, what a needed trait it is. Especially for me. There are so many situations that God has placed in my life in the past couple of months, that I really need to focus on being content. Right where I am, with ALL that HE has given me. I know that it’s so easy to think about what we don’t have, or can’t do, but as Christians we truly have it all. We just don’t always realize it.
Hi Kim, great post! For me, reinventing myself means listening to what God tells me to do with my life and not the well meant but often misguided advice of people around me. How I have chosen to live is not the common choice and it has taken some creative thinking on my part to accept this choice during the discouraging days. But, I am holding to the promise that God does not start what He will not finish...and my family is certainly a work in progress - to His glory!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Kim!! I'm reading and I'm enjoying!! Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteRe: Reinventing myself....I PRAISE GOD that HE is reinventing me,
changing me from the inside out to become the person that He
created me to be. Little by little, struggle by struggle, I know that
He is shaping me for His purposes. Love you!! Prayers for all. Sue