The other day I asked Noah if he knew why we celebrated Thanksgiving and without hesitation he said “Because it’s Jesus’ birthday!” Fail. Oh well, at least His birthday is coming up soon, right?! After explaining to/reminding him that Christmas was Jesus’ birthday, we got back on track and started talking Thanksgiving again. I explained to him that it is a day where we look at everything around us and thank God for it. He thought that was cool, and within seconds he was already spouting that he was thankful for power ranger swords, his sister, and his portable DVD player.
But, as I was driving in to work yesterday, I heard someone mention the word ‘content’ on the radio. And it reminded me that we must be content in order to be thankful. The world around us is anything BUT content. Everyone is always chomping at the bit for the next coolest, bigger, fastest SOMETHING! Fill in the blank…I really need __________. But do we really need anything else?? Why can’t we just be content with what we have in the here and now?
My cordless phone has tape on the back of it to hold the battery in and the numbers are getting difficult to push, but do I need to toss it out get a new one…. My shoes are not ‘in’ right now, but are perfectly comfy, keep my feet warm and dry, do I need new ones… My car has 80,000 miles on it and has seen better days, shall I trade it in for newer one… You get my point. We, as a society, are constantly looking to upgrade because what we have right now, although it is meeting our needs, could be better.
After spending countless hours with my grandmother over my last maternity leave, she taught me the secret to life is being content. Not only is my grandmother a genius, but I found proof in the Good Book to back it up in Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:11-13 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 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. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength.
This Thanksgiving, take some time to look around and not only be thankful for what you have but be content. God has blessed us all tremendously!
Amen! Such a great reminder to be thankful for what we have and to think about what we really need. Love you!
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