Contentment

I had an experience last night.  I was sat in the living room looking through into the kitchen and was looking at and listening to the washing machine. I felt contentment, I felt peace, I felt security. I then realised I hadn’t felt content for quite a while in a lot of ways. Strange that a washing machine made me realise that, but God works through everything.  Also, I can remember lying in bed in a morning when I was a child and hearing my mum in the kitchen doing the washing and various other things and feeling very content and secure whilst listening to this, so maybe that is what also sparked that feeling and realisation.

So what does this mean?

It means I realised I’d been wanting something more than I’d got for some reason.  It means I have been discontented and I don’t even know with what, just life, which is ridiculous.

Sitting there yesterday evening watching the washing machine, I started to think and try to remember what Paul (in the bible) said about learning to be content in all circumstances and I’ve had to look it up. So here it is, Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV):

 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

So there it is…I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Not through my own power or even through things happening to me, obtaining things or doing things, but through Jesus and through His spirit. This was also spoken about in our church meeting this morning about in our weakness He is strong.

This is the bit: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It doesn’t come easy to me to boast of weaknesses, at the moment I tend to be a bit defensive, but if it means Christ’s power will then be with me and in me and I will function through Him and in his strength. Bring it on! I don’t have to be perfect, that’s the bit that Jesus did. And does. And will do. So Lord! I cannot do this life without you. We need you in everything and in every way and I hope and pray that others come to know you like this.

This looks like contentment to me, our boy at a couple of months and again this week at the age of three. Gorgeous.

Oh and it is looking like we’ve probably sold our house….watch this space…eeeek..