Being Content
Photo courtesy of Steven Xiong Photos
I grew up in a family with 9 children; I was the second youngest. I did not have a lot growing up, but I had everything I needed. The things I had were very minimal, but life was simple. My parents lived on a fixed income, yet we had enough food to eat, clothes to wear, etc. We were taken care of. I don’t remember wanting a lot of things, and I was generally content with what I had. Then middle school came. It was the summer before 7th grade and I remember going school shopping with my mom. I really wanted some jeans that were $20, versus the cheaper ones my mom wanted me to get. They were trendier and a better brand. It didn’t take much begging for my mom to agree.
I realize now that as a child, I had no consideration for the bigger picture. I was self-centered and only focused on getting what I wanted. I did not think to see how getting more expensive jeans would affect my mom and other siblings. Would my mom be able to get the rest of us clothes, shoes, and school supplies? That question did not cross my mind. I look back now and get a little emotional thinking about it. It may not sound like such a bad thing, but my stomach still gets knotted up when I think about it, realizing how spoiled I was to get those jeans, and how loving my mother was. Who knows what my mother had to sacrifice to get them for me, but hopefully it wasn’t a lot. Having to struggle through my own finances as an adult allows me to see that living on a fixed income is difficult. Regardless, God provided and remained faithful to us. He provided and we managed to get through, year after year.
At the age of 13, I began working so that I could buy things for myself. That was the beginning of STUFF. I began seeing things on display, in the windows of the store. At that age, shopping was life, wasn't it? I was great at accumulating stuff. In the last 15 years, I’ve spent thousands of dollars on stuff like makeup, nail polishes, purses, shoes, clothes. I’d bound from hobby to hobby, and just collect and/or hoard junk. I am not saying these things are bad, but most of that stuff was unnecessary. I did not need all that stuff. Each time I moved, I threw more and more stuff away‚ what a waste. I look back now and see that most of those things were a waste of money because many of those things ended up not getting used; but instead, they were donated or given away to friends and family members.
Life is more than stuff. The scripture below prompted this post today. It says in Philippians 4:11-13, not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.
What a powerful statement. I think to myself, how do I get back to the place when I was content with the minimal things I had, and how do I teach this to my children? As a mother, it’s easy for me to go without things so that my children can have the stuff they want, but how do I teach them to not place so much value on stuff? On these things that are always getting newer, brighter, and more eye-catching? How can they be content with what they already have and in turn, be grateful? How do I pass this on to my children, so they don’t waste money like I did?
So I go back to the scripture which says to learn to be content, regardless of our circumstances. It doesn’t matter if we have much or we have little. We can be grateful for things like air, water, food, shelter. Most importantly, the scripture points back to Jesus, who is giver of strength (it says). Why do we need strength? Well, I need strength to say no to all the stuff. Strength to turn off the YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest when it starts to make me feel miserable. Strength to be content, not only when life is high on the mountain top, but also in the valley low. It isn't easy, but remember, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Let’s be grateful for all that we have; pray for wisdom and strength; and most importantly turn back to Christ.
Let’s Pray.
Father God,
You are magnificent. You are our Provider and Helper. We thank you for all you have done for us. Lord, thank you for the readers and this message. Help us to be content, no matter our circumstances. The World and Social Media is great at showing us how to make our lives more glamorous and showing us things (it thinks) we ought to have. But You Lord, know better. You know what each of us really needs. Please teach us to be good stewards of our finances and to say no to unnecessary things. Your word says the Lord is my Shepard I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Help us to see that we don’t need all the stuff the world and advertisements say we need. Lord, remind us that you are enough, and what you have given us is enough. Help us be content, satisfied, and joyful. You are wonderful and we thank you for everything, especially Jesus Christ! Help us to be grateful. Thank you for your love and for giving us all the things we need.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
