My son loves baking with me. He certainly takes the cake for the best assistant. But, it wasn’t his baking skills that astounded me, it was God’s lesson of contentment really left a taste in my mouth.
My son stirred the entire contents of the pancake batter in his bowl, yet his eyes were transfixed on the paltry 2 teaspoons of milk in his sister’s. He was aggravated, annoyed and discontent. Suddenly, he didn’t like his bowl; he wanted his sister’s.
I felt sad for him, because:
He didn’t realize the value of what he held.
He didn’t realize that I had given him something special.
He didn’t realize his ingredients were vital to breakfast.
Instead, he became so distracted with her plate, he neglected his own.
Didn’t he know that we were about 3-minutes away from eating some light and fluffy delicious pancakes? He was missing out, missing the point and missing the joy.
His joy was stolen. Envy was eating him up.
How much of our attitude is just like his? One of discontentment?
How often do we see past our portion – to only see another’s? How often are our blessings soured by wandering eyes?
What does God think about this?
It gets me thinking – when our eyes wander to another’s portion, we miss the delight of our own. We miss the joy, the anticipation, the thanksgiving, the appreciation, the purpose, the passion – and the moment.
The whole time, my son had what was better right before him
– but he couldn’t see it.
He was too transfixed with the matter of someone else’s batter.
Like him, are we so worried about “getting” that we miss what God is “giving”? Let’s change this attitude to start enjoying what the Lord has placed before us.
10 Ways to Grab Hold of Contentment:
10. Believe that the Lord has given us exactly what we need for today.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Mt. 6:26)
If the Lord wanted us to have more, we would have more. But, we don’t. Why? We can’t always know, we can’t always tell and we can’t always understand – but we can understand that the Lord’s ways are not our ways. He knows better than us. Faith is trusting no matter what things look like.
9. Understand our deepest needs are already met.
Much like my son, we don’t realize that we already have the bigger bowl, the better goods and the sizable portion (we have Christ). However, because we allow envy to creep into our hearts, we become disillusioned by what we see around us – and we miss what the Lord has done in us.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)
8. Realize that underneath the other person’s baked goodies, often lies a chipped, cracked and discolored plate.
While we may say, “wow, what they have looks so good,” we never really know what the other person is dealing with.
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (Prov. 4:25)
7. Face reality: We can’t have our cake and eat it too.
We ask God for contentment, endurance and patience – while demanding, coveting and envying material goods. God is not a genie in a bottle and we are not his master. When we trust God as supreme – we appreciate what we have.
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. (Prov. 29: 23)
6. Realize that joy is found when we find contentment.
If my son had worried less about his sister’s bowl and more about his – he could have enjoyed the moment. However, his joy was cut short. He instead embraced jealousy, anxiety and frustration because he saw what he didn’t have.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4)
5. Walk by Faith: We never know what God has for us around the corner.
Frankly, we may have less than another today. But, we have no idea what God has in store for us in tomorrow. If we are always playing the comparison game – we will either feel prideful one moment and neglected the next or vice versa. Why indulge in this constant sin-cycle? It’s not worth it; it clouds our calling. It throws us off track.
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:6)
4. Rest in the knowledge that the Lord will provide.
He will provide for our deepest needs. We don’t have to look side-to-side any longer because we can look high-and-up to the King that stands ready to bestow all good gifts.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26)
3. Even if we have less, we have a great opportunity to rely on God.
In these moments, we can fully rest in our Lord’s faithful providence. It is here where faith is grown. It is here where real blessings surface. It’s not material blessings, but immaterial blessings that blow us away with joy, peace and purpose.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Phil 4:11)
2. Grab hold of God instead of material goods for true significance.
“Not having” gives us the chance to “have” the greater gift – a gift that fills insecurities, quells fears and provides security. What was once insecure, becomes secure with Christ.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jo. 8:12)
1. Praise, honor and thank God for what we have. The more we do, the more we can celebrate – him.
The more we lift God up, the more we realize – one day – we too will be lifted. The more we glorify God, the less we desire to be glorified by our own might.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (Jo. 14:13)
We find contentment when we realize that the Lord has placed just the right portion in our bowl. But, the key is, we can’t let our eyes drift. We can’t miss the moment. We can’t miss his work – in us and through us.
Like my son, we have no idea what will come from our share. While he thought his sister’s portion had value, it was his that actually had true meaning. It was his that would make something lasting. She only held a drop of milk. His was nourishing, sustaining and valuable.
What has the Lord placed in front of you? Is your gift eternal? Are you missing its value? Are you thanking God for this gift?
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Kelly,
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. I find your point #2 to be so true. That sometimes I have found the biggest blessing in the NOT having. And thank you as well for the reminder to come and join your #raralinkup! Hope you have a great day.
Thank you Amy for your words. You are so right – God often gives us something far greater than we were ever asking for. So happy that you are joining us today!
I’ve enjoyed reading the blogs here on the link up, Kelly! Thanks so much for hosting. Great encouragement here!
I am so glad that you are enjoying them Kristine! I think we have so many encouraging and inspiring words accumulated here. I am also excited to read your post and to get to know you more!
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Oh how many times I have done this and seen my kids do it as well. Such sound advice here, Kelly. Thank you. Praying that our eyes are open to the blessings right in front of us! They are abundant.
Oh yes Abby. It is so hard to see them “not get it,” isn’t it? I can only imagine how many times God looks at me and feels sad that I miss the point. But, his grace is greater! Praise God!
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Kids are great teachers if we are willing to stay present to the drama. We had our own baking episode which provided some writing inspiration :). Thanks for the link up. I could not get a normal picture to load- it kept saying it was too big even after I downsized them so I gave up and went with the wordpress logo.
Sorry about the picture issue Astrid. I will take a look at that next time I go into the system. Thank you for your comment. I think you are wise to note the staying present part. It is so easy to zone out, isn’t it? Much love to you and thanks for joining in this fun day!
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GREAT post, Kelly, and much needed at this moment regarding a certain situation in my life. Bless you for reaching out and inviting me in to your link up. Ra Ra!! Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!! 🙂
Sheila, I am so glad that this post spoke to you. Your kind of response is what makes this all worth it. To know that it spoke in a moment of time is to have been able to take part in something so special. Thank you for letting me know and thank you for joining this Cheerleading Link up! Ra! Ra!
Kelly, these are 10 great suggestions for cultivating contentment.I especially like #10. I don’t struggle so much with wishing for another’s portion, but I do struggle with being unhappy with mine. I just got home after a cold, rainy afternoon at a crowded mall and in traffic, and when I read this post, I remember, “I had exactly the afternoon God wanted me to have!”
That is so right Betsy! You have what he wants you to have and you are where he wants you to be. Resting in his sovereignty is so nice sometimes isn’t it? He is in charge (thank you GOD!).
Yes yes for #1. Praise, honor and thank Him. It takes our eye off of us and our situations and keeps our focus on that which is true, everlasting and eternal. Embrace Jesus, embrace this moment and be content. Peace and blessings.
Exactly Tyra, exactly! It is really a good test – to see if it is eternal or not. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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Kelly, you have so blessed my heart this morning! Love you, my friend! 🙂
Tai, I am so glad! So, so glad to have that honor.
It really is true that joy is found in contentment. If we are always wanting what someone else has or are complaining about what we don’t have, or just complaining about the way things are, we will not have joy. We will be miserable and grouchy. Sometimes it is very hard to be content, but with it comes peace.
Exactly Gayl. You are so right. It takes a continual focus on our thoughts and our actions. Thank you for your comment! And, thanks for joining the RaRaLinkup!
Thank you for the encouragement Kelly! Contentment can be chased away by so many things. Great advice.
I know, right? We have to tightly guard and protect it. Once it’s gone we really get off course. Much Love Sarah!
What a great post, Kelly! So FULL of great tips and truths!
Thank you Karrilee, this was a joy to write and to share!
This totally happens to all of us at one time or another. Even when we are humble and truly thankful, this envy bug you talk about creeps in when we are weak.
This is one reason I love to look back on the year as it comes to an end. Sure we think about what we didn’t get done–but often we look at the wonderful things we’ve accomplished and the blessing bestowed upon us.
Thank you for a reminder that is always warranted.
Blessings,
You bet Deborah. It is a pleasure to share this. I know it is easy to have these thoughts come. They almost go undetected. Much love to you!
Number 8…Realize that underneath the other person’s baked goodies, often lies a chipped, cracked and discolored plate. really is a powerful piece to this. How easily have I not looked beyond the stuff on top and then never saw the hurt or pain that one who is blessing me is dealing with. Thank you for this and for that Proverb. That is one I want to ponder quite a bit.
Glad to be here, Kelly, and for being such a great “cheerleader”…~ linda
Linda – I am so glad that number 8 hit you. It has hit me in the past too. So many times others look so perfect and together – but, they’re not. I so value you joining the linkup and sharing your wisdom with us. This is an exciting time for me to be a part of this with you and all the other amazing bloggers. Much love, Linda!
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BOOM.
Kelly, you nailed it with this one! Outta the park! Good stuff!! Keep it comin’ friend!! 🙂
Oh, BTW are you an early, early bird?? I see you on the media front in the weeee hours of the morning! (I still don’t get why they say “weeee”… Yeah-the numbers are small, but “weee” means FUN to me!) But insomnia is NOT “weee”! lol 😉
Thank you Christy! You crack me up! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I am up in the weee, weee hours. ha. I am an early bird and this is the only time I can get without the craziness of kids. These are my working hours. Yay for that! Thanks for being such an awesome and amazing part of this linkup. I am SO glad we met.
I love that your outlook on life is so similar to mine. If only others could embrace the joy that can be found in the muckiness. But I admit, I’m alot like your son many days too…I get caught up in what I can’t have, instead of being thankful for what I do, and realizing that it all plays an important part in the way of God’s kingdom. Ra ra sis boom ba to you! Thanks for inviting me to link up! 🙂
Nicki, love that we think a lot. I think after enough times in the muck, we start to realize that God has us there for a reason. ha! Seems the same with you. I tend to compare and miss contentment sometimes so all of these things are what I do myself to keep in check. You are rocking it out there in the blogging world. Ra! Ra! Ra! to you Nicki!
I especially appreciate praising Him, honoring Him, and thanking Him for what we have. Everything comes from Him! Thank you for hosting the linkup today, Kelly. You’re a blessing! God bless you!
Thank you Julie. I am glad you like that part. When we do that – we take our eyes off of us and put them onto him! May God bless you Julie and all you do for being a blessing to so many!
Kelly, this post contains great truth. I feel like #10 is so, so important. If we are willing to believe, deep in the marrow of our bones, that God’s heart is for us, then we will be able to understand that He IS doing what is His best for us. It all starts with keeping our eyes on Him, rather than on our surroundings. Grace and peace, friend.
Thank you so much Leah. Lord, let Leah and I both believe, “in the marrow of our bones,” that you are doing what is best for us. Help us to rest in you. We need all of you Lord.
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GREAT message Kelly!
My prayer for 2015
http://mattellefson.com/2014/12/31/trust-me-with-more-my-prayer-for-2015/
Keep up the great work of making our world a better place
Thanks Matt. I am glad you liked it. I will check out your prayer!
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