Time and Contentment
I by no means have any right to encourage contentment ever especially right now. I’m just as wanty and needy and utterly human or more so than the rest of you. Plus! There have been so many great deals (and my parents overcompensate with stuff occassionally to make up for—or more like to distract me—from my life of constant chronic pain and fatigue) that we have bought me all kinds of fun things. Things I don’t need but have wanted. And I guess these things are a double edged sword for me right now. They have brought me happiness and a kid-like glow—I’d jump up and down if my back wasn’t still out, but at the same time I feel guilty. My two “resolutions” this year were to spend time more wisely:
“the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us to do evil things but to have us wasting time” -Don Miller
and to be content no matter what the circumstances:
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever te circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:11-13 (that’s that verse in context by the way!) ;)
and while I have improved in these two areas this year it wasn’t consistent and it wasn’t by much and now I have been almost moved to tears I have felt so much plenty lately. I just sat in the recliner the other day staring at my nativity and was filled with the more than plenty in my life. And all I ask of all of you, well I’m not sure what I ask of you. I’m really not. I think I’m just feeling out loud on tumblr.
Part of what I’m feeling is for all of you whether you find yourself like me, engulfed by the plenty of it all thank the Lord and try to humble yourself to be as content as possible both in the plenty and in the want. The truth of it is is that if you are reading this on an iPhone or iPod or computer or laptop or another phone with Internet capabilities just like I am writing it on my iPod right now (my thumbs are killing me) how much more we already have compared to so many others right now. How much more our plenty should inspire us to give to those in need or want. Please find a way to use your resources to use your time and money in a way that isn’t wasteful. If you are interested in some charities, the three closest to my heart are
1. To Write Love On Her Arms
2. The Mentoring Project
3. The Stills Disease Foundation
thanks again for listening, God bless you with contentment, especially this time of year, and may we waste less time next year than we did this year.
Love, Kate
