Contentment

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5

Parenting is definitely a job that requires wisdom! Each day I find my meager knowledge and wisdom tested, prompting me to cry out to God for His infinite wisdom. He is faithful to provide that wisdom, as the words I hear coming out of my mouth are a testimony to it.

This afternoon one child was complaining and bemoaning the fact of where they fall in the birth order of our family. As I reminded this child of their placement of when and where in our family they were born was God's sovereign plan, I realized just what a sin discontentment is. When I complain about how God made me, who He gave me as parents, and other unchangeables I am actually doubting God's goodness, sovereignty and purpose for my life. I am challenging God that I know better than He does. It all boils down to me wanting to be god in my life. I'm right back in the garden of Eden wanting to be like God, wanting to be God, wanting to manipulate and control. I am doubting God's goodness and that He is more capable than myself. I am trusting in my own efforts instead of trusting Him and resting in His infallible plan and purpose.

This enlightenment came after several days of arguing with God over a certain area of my life, where I just didn't want to relinquish control. I knew I must give that control over, but I kept trying to convince God why I was right and He was wrong. Praise Him, that He loves me too much to let me have my way! I thank Him that He gently reminded me of my sinfulness. Once more He proved that parenting is about Him molding me into His image. I can just release it all and rest in Him.

Thank you Father for your goodness and faithfulness. Help me to trust in you in all areas of my life. I know that your plan and purpose are for my good and that you love me and care for me more than I can comprehend. Let me follow you and seek you with all of my heart. Amen.

In Him,

Living Free

In All Fairness

"That's not fair...", my daughter quipped, as I instructed her to finish her chore, "the boys.....", she continued. I gently reminded her of the special opportunity she had been given earlier in the day, that none of the "boys" or her sisters had received. She retorted back with, "But....". This is an all too common scenario here and more often than not I impatiently respond with, "Tough, lifes not fair, get over it.", yet subconsciously I blame myself for creating this unfairness for my children.

Tonight, I gently continued to talk to my daughter and was astounded at the words of truth that came from my mouth. "Honey, God has created each of us for a special purpose and He gives each of us special opportunities to prepare us for the purpose to which He has called us....Your father and I must seek God daily for wisdom in training you and bringing you up. We must prepare you for the future God has for you...God has different plans for you than anyone else and you can not always do what everyone else does...", as I spoke these words, my ears heard them and they began to sink into my heart. What a wonderful spiritual truth God had unlocked and what freedom it brought to me as a parent.

So many times, as a parent I had tried to create equality and justice for my children, in hopes of creating harmony and discouraging rivalry. The results are quite evident. My attempts have failed and disharmony and rivalry are running rampant in our home. I had bought into Satan's lie of "life must be fair and we all must be equal", isn't this the same lie he fed Eve? He made her question God's goodness and trustworthiness. He made her feel like God was with holding something from her. He tempted her to be like God. I know the truth. God is good and just. He can be trusted. He will work all things out for good, according to His purpose. He has a purpose for me and I need to embrace the opportunities He has given me. I need to be content with who I am, where I am and what I am doing. When I begin to grasp this, apply it to my life and pass this on to my children then we can live in His harmony. Content with who we are in Him and what we have from Him. It is ok that my children are each uniquely different, in fact they were created that way and God has a unique plan for each one. I can now stop wasting time and energy in trying to create a false equality and put my time and energy into helping them grow and develope into who God created them to be.

Here are some truths straight from God's word that He reminded me of, last night as I was studying contentment and purpose.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. " Phil 4:11

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. " 1 Timothy 6:6-8

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:5-6

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: " Ephesians 1:8-11

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" 2 Timothy 1:9

My Father, thank you for opening my eyes and ears to your truth. Thank you for setting me free from the bondage of equality. Help me to embrace the unique opportunities you have given me and to train and nurture my children to rejoice in their uniqueness, the opportunities you given them and learn to rejoice for others and the opportunities you give them.

In Him,

Living Free

Out of His Abundance

A couple of months ago, my precious children were playing ball in the living room and knocked over my favorite lamp and broke it. Later that afternoon the toddler was running around the living room and knocked over my floor lamp. Two lamps in one day, cracked and broken, but still usuable. My frustration over these broken lamps was great and the fact that I could not just throw them out and replace them caused me to relive that frustration each time I looked at them. I determined to yield my right to having nice, unbroken things to God and to praise Him for my children each time I looked at the lamps and was tempted to get frustrated over them. I finally came to the place where I was content with my lamps, even in their broken state.

This weekend my husband went to Lowes on another errand and surprised me by returning home with 7 new lamps. The grand total was $60.00. God in his amazing abundance replaced my floor lamp and table lamp and gave me an additional table lamp and a pair of matching lamps for the bedroom. What a reminder that My God will supply all my needs according to His riches and glory!

God thank you for your overwhelming abundance. Help me to remember how You supply all my needs. Keep me from getting attached to material things. Let me yield all the things in my life to you and allow you to use them for your glory. Let me be a faithful steward of the things you have blessed me with. Let me never think of things as more important than people. Amen

In Him,
Living Free