When I was a young girl, my family lived near Chicago in a three-bedroom, one bath home. One car parked in the driveway; there was no garage. My brother and I dreamed of owning an in-ground swimming pool but had to settle for the crowded, over-chlorinated conditions of the community pool.
If someone had told me, “Nancy, when you grow up you will get married, have three children, and live in Florida for forty years. Every home will have two bathrooms and a garage. You’ll eventually own two cars, too. But, best of all, three of your homes will have a swimming pool in the backyard.”
(Sometimes we enjoyed a bigger pool — the Gulf or Atlantic.)
I would have thought, Unbelievable! When all those heavenly things happen, then I’ll be happy and content.
Ah, but during those forty years in Florida I remember thinking on more than one occasion: If only this heat and humidity would let up. It’s like a furnace out there. Or, Why can’t these kids just get along with each other and give me some peace? Or, Houseguests are coming; gotta clean those bathrooms today. Ugh.
Contentment can be an elusive quality. No sooner do we possess one long-desired item, we discover another acquisition to wish for. No sooner have we achieved one level of success, we’re already reaching for the next—with a sideways glance at our neighbor who’s acquired or accomplished more than we have.
We know what scripture tells us: “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
Our spirits sense the truth of it and recognize the gain to be had when craving, grasping, and unrest give way to peace of mind and tranquility of spirit.
But how?
Contentment is a choice of perspective. I can choose to affirm and celebrate my:
- Possessions. I have more than enough.
- Position. I have experienced more than enough.
- Personhood. I am more than enough the way God made me, with my particular personality traits, gifts, and abilities.
Like Paul, I can learn to be content by choosing again and again the proper perspective (Philippians 4:11).
However.
There is one area where contentment is not desirable: in the spiritual realm. I never want to become content with what I already know about God or be satisfied with the current level of intimacy between my Heavenly Father and me.
I want to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18).
That’s an opportunity for a lifetime. Think of it: we never reach the end of his magnificence and influence. There is always greater knowledge to understand, more wonder to explore, more splendor and growth to experience.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord, God, may I not look right or left at what others have, or what others have accomplished, or what gifts and talents they display. Keep me mindful of my utmost desire: to know you more intimately, follow you more closely, and live in the contentment of your sufficiency for everything.
Art & photo credits: www.ancestory.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.youtube.com; http://www.pinterest (2).
From the Inside Out 
Wonderful post, thank you! -C.D.
Thank you, Carole. I’m delighted you found the post meaningful.
Amen!
Thank you, Mitch!
Huge spiritual discipline. Huge.
Indeed! Practice may not make perfect but at least we’ll make progress! Thank you, Dawn, for stopping by and commenting.
Nancy, this is truly a wonderful message for the beginning of a new year. It is a great reminder that we should do some deep soul searching and make adjustments. All the best to you and Steve.
Thank you, Ruth. The Christian life IS about deep soul searching and making adjustments, isn’t it. But the resulting peace, joy, and intimacy with our Heavenly Father is all worth the effort!
Thanks Nancy for this reminder.
And thank you, Pam, for stopping by.
I came to say a hello because I see we share some space on Dawnliz’s list. So I came to bless you and your ministry for gains in this new year. May you be richly blessed as you grow in the Lord.
Thank you so much, Oneta, for stopping by with your blessings. May 2017 be a year filled with blessing for you, too.
What a good reminder for the new year. As I was praying over goals and priorities for 2017, the Lord reminded me of Joshua 1:8, that keeping the Lord’s law and meditating on it leads to prosperity and success. His economy is so different from ours, and it is a constant challenge to pursue contentment in this world!
You are so right, Chili Powder: God’s economy is different from ours–His is the right one! Joshua 1:8 is an excellent verse to focus on for maintaining priorities.
wonderful exploration of this topic. I too have been hearing more and more “You have enough. You ARE enough.” yet I struggle with the restlessness of craving more. I think as I grow older, I am learning to live with this tension better BUT it is hard at times. Good to know I share this walk with you.
Very glad to share the walk with you, too, Jean! We can remind each other that we ARE enough.
Perspective is so important. It’s been a lifelong struggle for me to see things from a positive perspective. With His help I’ve made great inroads the past few years, though! Another thought…this one regarding possessions: After Dad died in September I went on a little spending spree; I needed nothing and, of course, ‘things’ did not ease the pain. I knew they wouldn’t. Every day gets a little better, though, as I call upon the Lord to give me strength and positivity! Great post!
Thank you, Cheri. Positivity IS a life-long pursuit; progress is reason to celebrate! Praise God for his strength and help as you grieve for your dad.
Really great post, Nancy. So true.
You were spoiled growing up with one bathroom for 5 people, we also lived near Chicago, had four bedrooms and did have a half bath downstairs, but only one full bath for 12 people. We learned to take real quick showers 🙂
Thank you, Bill, for your encouragement. You are so right: I was very spoiled! The greatest contributing factor: My parents provided a secure, loving, Christian home. As for your situation, I can’t imagine organizing showers for twelve people. Did you keep a schedule on the bathroom door–and a timer nearby?!
There was no schedule, just calling dibs on the shower after dinner or getting up early in the morning.
It’s funny, the home we have now, the home my two daughters were raised in, has 3 and a half bathrooms, they were spoiled!
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Thank you, Bruce!
Nancy,
Loved this! Oh that I would be more content with the things of this world, but that I would never be content with spiritual things of the eternal world. When I think I’ve gone to the depths of knowledge and communing with God, let Him take me deeper still. Let me always have an unquenchable thirst for more of Him. Great perspective!
Blessings,
Bev
“An unquenchable thirst.” Amen to that, Bev. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comments!
Thank you for your words. Very true.
And thank you, Cheyenne, for your encouragement and for becoming a follower. I pray you’ll find the posts meaningful!