Choosing Contentment

"Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." -- Jeremiah Burroughs


I have been talking with some friends about contentment this week...you see I think contentment is a choice and it's one I am having a hard time choosing right about now. Finding myself looking back instead of ahead, focusing on my lack instead of blessings.

Need an attitude adjustment...I have many blessings in my life...thought it might be time to change my focus...time to start focusing on what I have to be thankful for... so I took a moment to list some things...and there is so much more...but here are just a few of the things I have to be thankful for and they are in no particular order

1. Family and friends who are always willing to help point me to the word of God when I need encouragement
2. Beautiful weather....spring has come early here, there is all kind of stuff blooming in my backyard
3.Season passes to the Gardens in our city...there is something always in bloom...azaleas should be beautiful this weekend
4. A husband who enjoys the Gardens as much as I do
5. Grandchildren who live close by...remember I said this list was in no particular order
6. Renewed relationships with extended family
7. Unexpected opportunity to see youngest son and friends last weekend...and Cherry Blossoms
8. We had funds to pay for car repairs...the cars were quite needy this month
9. Although not where I want to be physically...I am so much better than I was than a year ago...all a matter of perspective....need to be thankful for that

What I need to remember is, I am exactly where God wants me to be...I really am ..he has me right where he wants me to be... could there really be any place better than that? Lord, help me choose contentment, thankfulness instead of grumbling

O Lord you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold O Lord you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-6

His Word Stands Firm

                            Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

                            Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

                            you have established the earth and it stands fast.

                            By your appointment they stand this day, for all things

                            are your servants.

                            If your law had not been my delight, I would have 

                            perished in my affliction.

                            I will never forget your precepts, for by them you

                            have given me life.

                            I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.

                            Psalm 119:89-94

Joy In All Things

                "Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass it's about learning to dance in the rain"

I love this quote, came across it last year and I thought it was perfect way of looking at this"season" in my life, a "season" of rain...and what "seems" like a "season" of endless waiting

When think of dancing I think "joy"....for the record I am still learning to "dance in the rain" Learning to be joyful despite my circumstances...because our joy can't be tied to our circumstances...instead it has to be tied to our hope. What is my hope...that I have a loving Father who has all the circumstances in my life under his control...that he is faithful...unchangable...and can be trusted.

Found this little treasure at the thrift store the other day for $1.98...how appropriate, it will soon be hanging in my kitchen

                                              Maybe I can borrow Little Miss's boots and Tutu 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you 1 Thessalonians 5:16

On Holiday

When we lived overseas the locals would say they were going on "holiday" when they went on vacation.

I am on a holiday of sorts...mine started last week. Now before you start thinking warm sunny beaches or mountain getaway, let me quickly set the record straight, my holiday has been provided by my physician and no she has not sent me anywhere, I am on a drug holiday....specifically from the drug that helps prevent my cancer from reoccurring. Although the jury is still out on this one...the side effects may be outweighing the benefits

I thought health issues were beginning to settle down, but my blood pressure continues to be a problem, either it's too high or I start to have side effects from the meds that are being used to control it.  (they have tried several combinations)  There has been a meeting of the minds...my PCP and my oncologist...and it has been agreed that I can stop the cancer preventive drug for now to see if blood pressure improves. I am not totally off the hook, there is already discussion about a different med that they want me to take
The adventure continues, I won't lie...fear and frustration creep in pretty easily...this is not going according to MY plan, Oh how tightly I cling to the idol of "my way" Sanctification...it's a life long thing


Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus  Philippians 1:6

Where I Put My Trust

Trust...the belief in something that is true

When you trust you have assurance, certainty, confidence, expectation, hope, reliance, credence, expectation, faith

I can manipulate a situation, try to engineer an outcome but in the end I always find that what I really need to do is to trust in Him who has all things under His control

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight  Proverbs 3:5-6

Road Trip

I was hoping to see these, but we were about two weeks too early (picture was taken last year)

Had an opportunity to make a road trip this week, husband had to travel for work and I decided to go along. We went up a couple of days ahead of time and stayed with a friend...perfect opportunity to reconnect.The Cherry Blossoms may not have been in bloom but that was okay..there was this horn  player I wanted to hug and a concert I wanted to attend.

There were friends to reconnect with...and family to visit. I was able to see my Mom and Dad and several siblings...one..a sister I hadn't seen in two years...it was so good to hug her and tell her I loved her...again feeling so convicted that I need to make the most of every opportunity. Husband had his meeting and I was able to find some spring to photograph. The magnolias were in bloom...simply beautiful, I spent all day Monday just taking pictures. The trip was not without it's challenges...but I will leave those details for another time. God always at work...always revealing whats lurking in the crevices of your heart...if you are willing to listen

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised 

 Psalm 113:3

Complacency

Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom  Psalm 90:12

This is my prayer today...that I would number my days, live as if I had a limited number of days...because I do....we all do. What would you do if you knew that you would be called home soon...what choices would you make? Who would you seek out? I have been asking myself these questions

I have had this conviction on my heart recently as I have found myself getting complacent...content...busy with the "duties of life" I have missed opportunities...lived like there will always be tomorrow to do what should be done today... so go make that call, write that note, encourage that neighbor or friend...share the good news!

Show me O Lord my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Psalm 39:4

Storing Up Scripture

It's the beginning of the month, which means in our church there is new scripture that is handed out for memorization. It's for the children but the entire church is encourage to memorize the scripture as well. Everyone does the same scripture the only difference is how much you memorize, the littlest ones do just one verse and it increases from there

This month it's one of my favorites...Psalm 121... it's the one I memorized last year with a friend...so I got this right....umm no...as a friend would always tell me...we leak...at least I do...it might have something to do with age.... or maybe it's just me....at any rate I will be memorizing it again right along with my little grandchildren...practice makes perfect

        
                           I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
                           My help comes from the Lord who made the heaven and earth.
                           He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber;
                           Behold he who keeps Israel will neither slumber or sleep
                           The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
                           The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night
                           The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life
                           The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in
                           From this time forth and forevermore  Psalm 121            
                                                                                              

 

Marking Time With The Seasons

The doctor told me it would take a year.

I was getting ready for my second surgery and felt like I had not yet recovered from my first surgery...my get up and go had gotten up and gone...again he said... it would take a year and added...it will take a year from the surgery you have coming up...not what I wanted to hear

                                                 Initial diagnosis and surgery Fall 2010

Winter, the wait between surgeries
  

Spring 2011, second surgery

Summer, they begin testing again because of some pain issues and physical therapy starts

Fall 2011 is a season of testing, scanning and more testing, because appetite not good and stomach quite disagreeable

Winter, blood pressure starts to go a little crazy and have an infection that has required a couple of months worth of antibiotics

Spring 2012

Okay I know it's not spring yet...but we are close.

It has been a year....he was right

My husband noticed first but he didn't say anything right away...then I started to notice. It's been kind of a gradual thing...like the buds blooming on a tree...then one day you notice the tree is in full bloom. That is kind of how it has been with me...it seems like all of a sudden there is this strangely familiar person back in our house...I hope she stays awhile... if I remember correctly she used to like to cook...that will be a nice change...oh happy day

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze  Isaiah43:2