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 4:12
It's easy to be content when things are going my way. When things are peaceful and everyone is happy. When the boys are quietly doing their school work. When the dishes are done and at last I get to sit down and put up my feet with a cup of tea beside me. Ahhh, now that's nice. But what about when things are not peaceful. What about when the kids are yelling, laundry is piled high, dishes are multiplying in the sink, math is taking 3 hours, and I'm at the end of my ropes. God help me with this. I can't do it all. At these moments, I like to go water the garden. My quick escape route. As I step on the front porch I begin to pray, God please help me. I can't do this myself. I don't know what to do, I don't know what to say. Everyone in that house needs me to do something and I just can't do it all. As I begin to focus on Him and what He sees I begin to see His creation around me and all that He takes care of each and everyday. So why do I worry?
Matthew 6:30-35
God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God's kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
As I gather myself together and make my way back in the house I feel refreshed and ready, now that I know...
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Things look different in the house now. Did they change? Nope I did. I changed. My view was overhauled and through HIS glasses things look different than they once appeared. I am glad when I feel content with what I have, but I never want to grow content with being stuck with a bad attitude, a chip on my shoulder, or a dark cloud hanging over me. I don't want to be content with listening to Satan's lies and allowing his thoughts to entangle me. I want to be content when God says, "It's time to change, we got some growing to do!"
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8
