Contentment

Last weekend I got to have a wonderful night out with some great friends.

We laughed, we shared, we talked about...well, everything!

This dinner was much anticipated.  Our friend had come into town for the week with her three girls to spend spring break here, and her husband told her that to celebrate her birthday she could treat all of us to dinner.

Dinner was great!  We began with some delicious appetizers, including one of my new favorite foods, tuna.  I never, EVER, thought I would like raw anything, but I've found that raw tuna is quickly becoming a go to for me, although seared tuna is the way I like it prepared best.

Anyway, we began eating and the birthday girl said she was just going to keep ordering until we weren't hungry anymore.  :)

Since I'm on my month of Whole30 I had to ask a few questions of the waitress and change my entree of how it was listed on the menu, but it all worked out and I had a delicious dinner.  I was even able to enjoy dessert!  I did enjoy my berries, but I was a little (A LOT) jealous of the chocolate cake and red velvet cake.  When are my cravings supposed to subside? ;)

One of the reasons I always treasure time with this particular friend is that she is very real and transparent.  She shares her struggles, what she's learning, and how she's growing in the Lord as easily as the weather.  I always feel like I go away from my time with her feeling encouraged yet challenged to continue to draw closer to the Lord.  (James 4:8-that was actually a verse from our sermon this past week)

She and I can relate about a lot of things.  One of the ways we connect and encourage one another is the fact that both of our husbands have jobs that are very time consuming and take them away from home quite a bit.  I really try to be careful not to whine and complain about this, although it does happen, but with my friend we can share knowing we understand the hardship this can place on the family and we can empathize and encourage one another.

This night we were sharing some things that the Lord has been teaching us through this time, when she shared a story with me about contentment.  This is a story that was shared by a woman teaching a class she was attending on parenting (I think).   I wanted to share it here, because it made such an impact on me.

A mom of 3 small children was married to a man in the Navy.  He was a pilot and considered a "Top Gun" amongst his peers.  He had to be gone from home for long, extended periods of time and it was taking it's toll on her caring for the children on her own.  She finally asked him if he would consider leaving the military and finding another career.  He told her he would on one condition....that she have another baby.  So....she had another baby.  Did he leave the Navy?  No.  She was very upset!  But, God told her to be silent and He began to work on her heart to be content in all circumstances.  She turned to Him and He helped her to love and support her husband, regardless of the fact that he didn't follow through with his agreement.  

When I heard that part of the story, it really struck me that our contentment does not depend on another's actions.  There is always the potential that we will be let down by others, but we can still find contentment in all circumstances.

So, how does the story end?  Eventually, without the prodding, leading, nagging, or "encouragement" (as I like to put it), from his wife this man left the Navy and took a job as an airline pilot.  They were able to make their home near her family, and she loved it!  And here's the part that really got me.  The husband's transition to this new life was extremely difficult.  He lost a little of his identity, going from being "Top Gun" to an airline pilot, but he credited his wife for not pushing him or forcing him to make this move until he was ready.  He had not one bit of resentment or bitterness built up against her, which clearly could have been the case if she had constantly been on him about keeping his word.

This story may not impact you the way it did me, but this struck me to the core!  I realized how often I am discontent with my circumstances, and when I am, I quickly share it with others (mainly Andy).

Is this the life God has called me to live?  I don't think so.  I don't want to be the complainer and Debbie Downer of a group.  If I sit and think for only a minute I can make a list an entire page long of the many gifts and blessings He has given me.  Beginning with the gift of Jesus.

So the next morning in my quiet time I really began to ponder this story and wrote in my journal that on that date I wanted it to be a new beginning for me.  A day where I take hold of my choice to be content regardless of whether my circumstances are good or bad.

I'm half a week in to that "new beginning" and I've already failed miserably several times.  :)  But, I know that's where grace comes in.  At least I'm more aware of it and trying to adjust my thoughts and attitudes, and of course above all else, asking the Lord to help me.  I know that I can't do this on my own.

Are you content?  Do your days leave you feeling frustrated, disappointed, upset?

My prayer is that if you struggle with this, as I do, that God gives you a renewed sense of how wonderful the gifts are that He has bestowed upon us, and that no matter what comes your way contentment is found in your soul.