Grateful Contentment

Lately I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be thankful -- and how often I'm simply not.

At the Seminary, the secretarial staff can participate in a "secret sister" exercise each semester. We fill out informational sheets on ourselves (our favorite foods, movies, books, etc) and trade them at a beginning-of-the-semester meeting. We become the secret sister of whomever's name we draw, assigned with the task of encouraging them throughout the semester. Last semester I drew Laura's name, which is something for which I am truly thankful. She has become a wonderful friend. My point? On the line that asked "How can I pray for you?" Laura wrote, "[That I would have] a heart of grateful contentment."

That line has stuck with me. A heart of grateful contentment. I couldn't pray for Laura without praying for myself. Please, God, make us, make me, grateful -- overwhelmingly thankful -- for everything I have. Make our hearts glad in You. Help us to ignore the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life -- help us block out the world's incessant attempts to tell us that we need MORE MORE MORE than what we have. Let us be gratefully content.

Right now it's 6:05 a.m.; I've been awake since 4. I feel awful; so sick. I had to take Wesley to work at 4:30, so I would've had to get up anyway, but I can't sleep when I'm this nauseous. The temptation is to focus on this. But one negative is countered by so many positives that I often choose to ignore. I have medicine to take. If necessary, I have a doctor to call and health insurance to help pay for my visit. I have a job that gives me sick time. Let's be really pragmatic -- I have a toilet and not a hole cut out of a stool. I am so blessed!

I'm so thankful that lately the Holy Spirit has been driving me to praise. Don't be fooled -- I am not more holy than you are. I certainly don't think like this on my own! Left to my own devices, I'm the most negative, selfish, ungrateful person currently walking the earth. But with God's help...

*Instead of thinking about all of the home décor items I'd like to have (a new rug, some throw pillows, etc.), I can just be thankful that I have a home. I don't just have a shelter, I have a home. I have so much.

*Instead of dreaming of the day we'll have a new car with cruise control and a sunroof, I can be grateful that we have a vehicle. And when I get grumpy about paying my car insurance each month (a recent development), or mad about how expensive gas is, I need to remind myself to be grateful!

*Instead of being frustrated with my husband for some stupid reason (and you'd be amazed at my reasons), I can be thankful that I have a husband. Oh, and one who doesn't beat me or berate me and isn't unfaithful to me. Seriously.

*Instead of being mad that I have 6 loads of laundry to do, I can be thankful that I have truly amazing modern conveniences like a washer and a dryer. And shout color catchers. I can't imagine trying to hand-wash things. It would take so long!

*Instead of being discontent with my job or how much I make, I can be thankful that I have a job. And remind myself of all the amazing things God did to allow me to have the job that I do have (which is actually pretty wonderful if I stop to really think about it). Oh, and I can remind myself that I lack nothing that I need. Absolutely nothing. And when I remind myself of those things, I'm faced with how materialistic I really am. It's sad.

You get the idea. I remind myself of the Israelites. It's so easy to read the Old Testament and think, "Seriously?? How can these people have such horrible perspective when God is clearly with them and providing for them?" Ha. Sounds like my life, doesn't it?

So... try it. The next time you're frustrated about something, try to find the blessing in it. Have a headache? At least you have medicine to take for it. Hungry? At least you don't have to wonder where you're going to get your next meal. Tired? When was the last time you were truly thankful for the bed you have to crawl into a night? I don't know about you, but I take so much for granted.

Now it's 6:39 a.m. and I should just be getting up for work. Because of the aforementioned blessings of a wonderful job and sick time (not to mention an understanding boss and co-worker), I'm going to take some more medicine and try to sleep off this yucky feeling. Despite the churning feeling in my stomach, I'm going to do my best to be thankful.

...
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
-Colossians 2:6