A PERFECT PLACE TO FIND CONTENTMENT
Sunday turned out to be a lovely day. The temperature wasn’t as hot as it has been, so I took the opportunity late afternoon to enjoy some time on the front porch. It’s a great place to think and also write in my journal.
There was a gentle breeze occasionally making the chimes ring. A perfect place to find contentment, right? Well, maybe, but I think there is more to it than having a nice place.
In the distance I heard a dove and a few noisy cars going down the road. My dog came to join me wanting attention. After I petted him a bit he seemed content to just lie on the porch. I thought about how easy contentment comes to a dog. As long as he has food, water, a place to run and a place to rest he is happy.
I, on the other hand, have trouble with contentment, especially when I think of all that needs to be done in the house and on the property.
And there is the problem. When I focus on what there is to do I have a tendency to complain. Then it seems there is no solution and things are going to get worse.
If instead, I keep my eyes on Jesus, give him my feelings of overwhelm and discontent, I can find peace and joy.
The problems are still there, but I am in a better frame of mind to think of solutions. I can be more patient with myself and others when I have an attitude of thankfulness and love.
CONTENTMENT COMES FROM TRUSTING
I think part of the reason my dog can be so content is that he doesn’t worry about anything. He trusts that we will take care of him and he can run and play and bark at critters from the woods. He can enjoy life.
Maybe I should take a lesson on trust from my dog. I need to trust my heavenly Father to care for me and not worry about anything. After all, I’m not the one in control, but I know the One who is.
Matthew 6:25-26 (CSB)
Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
All this talk about dogs reminded me of a poem I wrote about four years ago about my first puppy. Hope you enjoy!
My First Puppy
My first puppy at age nine,
was very dear you see.
Of all the puppies there in line,
he scampered straight to me.
From my side he would not stray,
that mutt so cute and brown.
And when my brothers, rough would play,
my pup would knock them down.
Walking to the library
one bright day with my class
Imagine our surprise to see
him sitting in the grass.
All the students were enthralled
A dog had come to school!
Digging under the fence he’d crawled,
using his paws as tools.
How could he have found his way
along that common mile?
He somehow knew just where to go
and how to make me smile.
~gsw~
How about you? What helps do you have to aid in finding contentment? Please share in the comments.
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Last Week’s Top Clicked Post
It always amazes me how the most clicked often lines up with my theme for the week. It is a God-arrangement. Kelly Balarie wrote this guest post on Renew Your Mind for Susan Mead. In it Kelly, highlights her latest book which would make a great summertime study to help build your faith. Be sure to check out her post today. ~Mary K. Hill
My Favorite Post
When You’re Unsure and Overwhelmed, Remember This
This is a wonderful post about trusting God even when we can’t see him. Kaitlyn uses the above picture in her post to help explain. I don’t want to give away too much but I’ll share this quote from her post:
We’re squinting our eyes, desperate for an answer or a promise-fulfilled to show up clear as day. But it’s there — already. He’s there — already. He is working in our waiting.
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Wow, perfect timing of reading your post. I was struggling with being discontent. Thank you for the reminder to be content and put my trust in God. Hope you have a wonderful week.
I love that you were encouraged by this. i think the struggle with discontent is ongoing. I will think I’m past it and then I’m discontent again. So we all need the reminder. Blessings to you! Have a great week, too.
Dear Gayl,
Oh, I love these precious thoughts on contentment! I get so easily overwhelmed also, but that Scripture is such a reassurance. He knows what we need! When I look at the pictures of the funny and cute ways of our little grandchildren, God brings those thoughts of sweet contentment and trust to me too. Those little child-like hearts are so trusting of their loving parents. How much more should I trust in my Heavenly Father’s Love? Thank you for sharing these good thoughts today, my friend! Love and Hugs to you!
Thank you, Bettie. Yes, I agree that Scripture is so reassuring and comforting. Oh, the children really are so trusting and really teach a lesson to us. So glad you visited today, Bettie. Blessings with love and hugs! xoxo
Fantastic post and poem, Gayl! 🙂 Loved the analogy and the monarch photo too… xoxo
Thanks so much, Bette! I’m so glad you liked it. Blessings to you with love and hugs! xo
It is all about trust, isn’t it? It’s so easy for me to forget that God has it under control and that he will take care of me and my family. We don’t have pets at home, but I’ve often been jealous of the simplicity of their lives. But you are right, we are to be as carefree as they are, with confidence that our Father is looking out for us.
Yes, it is about trust and yes it can sometimes be hard to remember. 🙂 We would worry less if we remembered always that our Father is watching over us. Blessings to you, Bethany! Thanks for visiting.
I enjoyed your post & your poem Gayl! Contentment for me is realizing that God had it all in His care!
Jennifer
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Yes, it is comforting to know that God is in control and will bring about His purposes in the world. Blessings to you!
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Gayl, I love your poem–I got my first puppy at age 9 too, and have had several pups through the years. Your title drew me here today, and I’m so glad I stopped by. Especially like this quote, “I need to trust my heavenly Father to care for me and not worry about anything. After all, I’m not the one in control, but I know the One who is.” Some wonderful words of wisdom to wrap around my heart today. Thank you for sharing! Many blessings to you!
Beth, I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. It’s cool you got your first puppy at age 9, too. 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by and were encouraged. It’s so east to start to worry, but then we remember that we don’t have to because God is in control. Blessings to you!
Gayl, I hear you friend. Our home/property became an area of discontentment for me because there was so much “to do.” I fought it and fought it but it became overwhelming. I am one to take caring for something so seriously and we could no longer do our beautiful mountain place justice – it needed younger blood and ambition. For us, it meant turning the stewardship over to others. It was a wise decision for us and we aren’t looking back. xoxo
I know you understand, Susan. It’s hard to think about maybe having to move, but we may have to before too long. The work is quite overwhelming and much goes undone. So glad things worked out well for you! Enjoy your new home! 🙂 Blessings and love and hugs, dear sister! xo
Love this! I have 4 dogs, so there are alot of lessons I could learn from them, but yes, contentment. And here’s another… they are just satisfied with being near their master. How much could we learn from that! Thanks for the doggie devotional! 🙂
Thank you, Karen! So glad you stopped by. We actually have two dogs but one in particular was with me on the porch. You are right, they are satisfied to be near us. We can learn a lot from that. How much more should be want to be near Jesus. Blessings to you! Glad you enjoyed the doggie devotional. 🙂
Sweet lesson, Gayl. Dogs never worry that their owners are going to forget to feed them or take care of them. May we rest in our Savior’s care so trustfully.
Thank you, Barbara. You’re right, they don’t worry and neither should we. I echo your prayer that we can learn to rest so trustfully in our Lord’s care. Blessings to you!
So, so many lessons to learn from the dogs in our lives:) Yes, contentment…and trust, faithfulness, joy in the simplest of things and never holding a grudge! What a great post – and lesson!
Thank you, Jennifer. Thanks for adding to the list. I especially like the “joy in the simplest of things and never holding a grudge!” Blessings to you! Have a great week.
I’m always blessed by your words and poetry, Gayl. Contentment is tricky because it is too easy to let our thoughts stray to a place of discontent. My contentment comes from my trust in God. It keeps me focused on the good rather than what might be challenging me.
P.S. I love the butterfly picture.
Thank you so much, Mary! That means a lot. I’m glad you were blessed and liked the butterfly. 🙂 Yes, if we put our trust in God alone it does help us to see the good and not how hard things might be. Blessings to you! xo