To Be Content

Why does it seem like every time you finally have things running smoothly one piece drops and they all tumble down.  And I am so frustrated. Angry. Tired. And I just want to get back to the smooth stuff, the living stuff, the good stuff.

But isn't this just part of the living altogether?

The car breaks down, the bills are due, chapstick in your dryer…on the only pair of jeans that still fit, someone's sick, and all in a week. And we think, "Whew…now that that's over, back to the good stuff." And then the week begins again.

Before we know it we've been waiting for the good stuff all our lives. We've been treading water for decades, trying not to drown. Wave after wave hits and we are just trying to get a breath in. This is not the way to live.  We spend our time thinking about the better, the "when", the someday and the finally. The beach in the sun without waves.

But what if we just chose to swim to shore. Today, not someday. Now, not when.  What if we just crawled out of the tide and pushed out feet into the sand?

Paul understood and I'm surprised it's taken me this long to read it and let it sink deep.

"Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil.4). And it's so important he writes it twice, I don't miss it. Then he writes ,"Don't be anxious about anything." And this is hard for me, the worrier. But then I'm beginning to get it. If I am rejoicing always, how could I ever worry about anything?

And Paul continues, "Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, think of such things." And if I am thinking of such things, I will be thankful and rejoice. If I am rejoicing, I have no time to worry.

And still there is more. My heart is almost too full already! "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

Content. To be content in all circumstances. If only! But there is a way -- Rejoice always, think of the good, spend no time on worry.

But can I really do this? Am I really able to be content, ever?

Then I see it. "I learned." Paul learned. Paul didn't have it right immediately. He had to learn, just as I am now learning. And if he learned. I can learn it full too.

So I'm swimming to shore, fixing my eyes on the good. Rejoicing in everything, for it all has its season and purpose. My feet in place firmly on the shore. The sun is shining, I'm breathing deep. And deeper. I fix my eyes on the good. I remember the good.

The waves are still crashing. Over and over. It's a surfers dream out there today. Cars starting slow and cold, leftovers for breakfast, and one pair of clean socks. It's all part of the living. It's part of seasons of this life. It's part of this unexpected life we're living. But I'm on shore now, rejoicing in the good. The waves are far off. I'm dry here, and warm.

Maybe tomorrow I'll be swimming, even drowning, but today I'm basking in the good.

And I am learning. Because even a stubborn girl like me can learn. And I remember too, that it's not just be alone. But me "through him, who gives me strength." And he does. And I'm grateful.

What a beautiful adventure.