I believe that people do the best they can with the knowledge they have….or they would do better. I don’t think anyone overeats to make themselves unhealthy. Anyone uses vices to keep themselves from a healthy family…..we simply fall into traps of Satan, sometimes we even invite him to rob us of our joy, our peace and our God given life plan.
This whole thing about learning contentment is so interesting. A few of my friends value themselves on the price of what they wear and what they live in. Heck, I am so glad that’s not my standard for most of my clothes are .75 cents at yard sales or found at used stores! I guess my value of myself in that measurement would be second hand goods!
My contentment had vanished for many years. I tried very hard to borrow my father’s measuring stick of life. He is a retired physician, a successful business man in his own right, and well done living in an antebellum home on the hill with acerage around him. I always measured my financial lacks as hopeless. Last year or so that changed. Truth is, I’m not a doctor, that budget won’t work for me. Truth is, we’ve made choices to bring me home to only work as I please part time. Truth is, the values we cherish as husband and wife, while they include financial solidarity, we recognize that God is our source and while we work hard to end foolish steps that lead to poverty…..we also recognize that the money is only a tool….and money brings its own hardships and responsibilities.
Today Dh and I live in a wonderful home. God blessed us with it when it seemed there was no way to move from Arkansas after a promotion for Dh to Alabama. Today I drive a car I really enjoy. Today my children are healthy and happy and have more than enough to be happy about. Today my life is much more content on the surface level at home….and more importantly I am learning the very basics of contentment in trusting God on the spiritual front. Gone is the fear of “what if I’m not enough” God is enough. Gone are the fears of “what if I don’t know how to get there” God orders our footsteps if we’ll only allow Him. Gone is the frantic knowledge that my mistakes are overbearing…for God has shown me that when I confess to Him my shortcomings and my dreams, He will take both and appropriate deal with the knowledge….the sins are thrown to the sea of forgetfulness and my dreams are given by Him and He helps me to realize them in my obedience to Him.
I’m still really aware of how many times a day, sometimes an hour, that I must capture every thought and give them to God. I am still very very human, and regularly mess us….but one thing I am more than the others….
I am God child’s and He will discipline me, love me, and set me free from all things I do to myself and allow others to do to me.
And He already has!
