Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind. [...] Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that they both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.
* * * Ecclesiastes 6:9 & 7:14 * * *
Some recent examples of nothing being certain in this life are the May 21st-end-of-the-world folks, deadly tornadoes in Joplin, MO {if you want to help, click HERE}, flooding in Louisiana, the unexpected death of a loved one (I've heard of two of those on Facebook in the last week), and even as small a thing as feeling fine when you go to bed on Saturday night, only to wake up on Sunday morning puking.
In a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, Benjamin Franklin famously said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." As a Christian, I would add to that list: God's saving Grace and His promise to return (but we do not know the day or the hour). Until His return (and the 2012 tax season), I'm working on enjoying what God has given me, rather than desiring what I don't have.
Does that mean I'm off of Pinterest? Nope - lots of great ideas on there, and there's nothing wrong with ideas. The problems come when you are overtaken by the gimme-gotchas and are no longer satisfied with what the Lord has already given you. Perspective. It's a good thing.
This week I'm thankful for...
401. Not getting whatever puke-bug Peter had
402. That the skunks who have taken over our yard haven't decided to spray us (or anything else)...yet
403. Warmer weather - welcome back!
404. Being awed by a beautiful sunset after a thunderstorm
405. Getting bumped to a part-time schedule (per my request) = {happy dance}
406. Beautiful mountain views
407. Saturday at the baseball field, cheering for a nephew as he scores a run
408. Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Coolatas
{P.S. If you want to know, the Double Caramel Magnum bars are the BEST}
410. Mowing - I actually find it relaxing to sit on the riding mower and go in circles around the yard
But really, how could you not have fun riding around the yard on a zebra-striped mower with a garbage-bag wrapped seat?
Love your mower!! Too funny! Glad that in amongst the :( news there were some bright moments.
ReplyDeleteSx
I really liked what you had to say in the first part of your post. You are absolutely right. Sometimes the "gimmes" seem to come out of nowhere! Of course I know that nothing compares to God's grace and His promises. All the gimmes are just silly :) I'm still trying to get the whole contentment thing down though... I'm NOT always good at it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on going to a part-time schedule. I did it at the end of April. I'm really loving it. I find that it makes balancing home and work much easier. I guess more specifically, I better prioritize life at home over work (but still feel like I'm being a productive worker at the same time!). I've seen commercials for the Magnum bars. Every time one comes on, I tell Daniel that I REALLY need to try one. They look fantastic! Now I really am going to have to try one.
And by the way, love your Zebra mower :)
Love to mow too, so relaxing, too bad I have to fight the men to do it:)
ReplyDeleteTiffany
Always nice to find another Christian blogger! Bless you :) x
ReplyDelete