Eeeeaaarrlly this morning, I was sitting in the orthodontist’s waiting room and I caught myself eavesdropping on the conversation next to me. There was a mother, a grandmother, a teen and a preteen sitting next to me having the most intriguing conversation.
It appears the preteen wants a new DS and new shoes. Apparently, the DS wasn’t the right color to match her personality and the shoes she wants is the latest craze in fashion. Her older sister and her were complaining about going back to school only wearing jeans from Old Navy. The grandmother asked about the money she gave the girls earlier to go school shopping. Grumbling, they admitted they already had spent it. Then the conversation was directed to the preteen, “I just bought you the DS, what could possibly be wrong with it??” ”I don’t like the color.” moaned the preteen. Then my mouth dropped to the floor so hard it left a bruise on my chin. ”We can go to Target after we are done and get the one you want.”
I glanced over at my Joellen nervously sitting there trying to stay awake. She was dressed in her newest “Peace” T-shirt and hand-me-down shorts. Her “hippie” style anklets and choker added her style and flair to her outfit. ”My God, I’m so thankful.” ran across my mind. She is perfectly content, never once complained about her clothes, shoes and doesn’t even own a DS. The worries she has in this world are saving the lost little puppies and kittens. She could spend every waking hour at the humane society tending to those animals. Joellen is thankful for what she has and it shows.
God asks us to be content with the blessings He has provided. That’s right…. our home, our clothes, vehicles and every material thing is a blessing from Him. Why should I want more? Why shouldn’t I be satisfied? Why is this world so wrapped up in things and images? Can’t we just be happy to be alive, blessed with another day to change the world?
Should we all have open heart surgery? Look inward and see the blessings God has given and just be thankful. If we put forth the energy it takes to whine, worry and complain about what we don’t have, and put it towards volunteering, ministry, and in something that is for the greater good, wouldn’t the world be a better place??
So, today, I ask everyone to chew on this:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)
Enjoy your day…. God Bless!
Well
We let the desire for things cloud our common sense and it blocks our view of the Lord. It’s sad it sometimes takes a tragedy to wake up people to all the good they have had.