Silent But Not Gone, Learning to Be Content

God has been doing a work in me.

Many times I have sat to write, but then I stop. God says not now. Wait.

So I have been waiting. But I have not been doing nothing.

I went to New Orleans. I refreshed my mind, body, and spirit. I came back with a renewed purpose: personally, professionally, and spiritually. God reaffirmed in me His plan for my life. And slowly but surely I am working towards that.

• I am joining the choir.
• I take my mornings slower. I let my children (& myself) wake gently so we can ease into our days.
• I take the time to rest when my body needs it ( I had the flu a few weeks back and my PCOS is flaring).
• I am no longer trying to please everyone.
• I am pausing in my day to be with Jesus.
• I am praying more.

And I am learning to say no. I feel that my marriage is stronger (this past Saturday was our 5th anniversary!!!), my bond with my children is better and that I am enjoying life more. I am reading for pleasure (Christian authors), working out moderately, tending to my house, and learning to live simply.

My father moved out a week or so ago. Time is flying by. But by him doing so we have shifted how our house works for us. We no longer feel cramped on each other. Not saying my dad cramped us, but we do see that we have way too much stuff. And though we have purged many things, there is more to be done. I shared on my Facebook page a sermon that I deeply love. One of our pastor's, Dr. Gamble, taught on the subject of being content. And to me it was powerful. I received a rhema from the passage he shared.

1 Timothy 6:8English Standard Version (ESV)⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Read that verse. Food and clothing. Dr. Gamble said clothing could be interpreted to mean covering (shelter and clothing). Not free Wi-Fi, a 4 bedroom house, 2 cars, and a bursting closet. We are to be happy with food and clothing. Everything else is a blessing.

The two verses leading into verse 8 shed more light. We need to strive to live for Christ and be happy:

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

This sermon really convicted me but also inspired me. This world is temporary. The steps I have been taking to enjoy life, enjoy my family are guiding me on how to be content. To quote Dr. Gamble, "We should be the most content people in the world." But I know there are times when I am not content, when I think I need or deserve more. What I deserve, what we all deserve is death. Thankfully we have a merciful good Father who loves us and blesses us. What can you do today to simplify your life? What can you do to stop being so "busy" that you do not have time for God? This is not to condemn, I am just as guilty. I get caught up in the stuff and forget about the one who died for my sins. But let me challenge you to press pause on life, and take inventory of all the stuff that is not food and clothing. Do you need it all? Or can you live without it? It is an adjustment but it is easy to live without much of what we all have.