I can be both. With life's stages I can remember thinking that the next season would be better: high school wouldn't be as awful as middle school and college would be a thousand times better than high school. But working would be everything I had hoped and dreamed for! And then I needed to get married so I could start my family, because sharing my life with a man had to be better than living alone. Then we wanted babies, because, of course our family needed children, and staying home and being a mama would be more fulfilling than teaching...
But with a screaming baby and a two year old, I remembered I don't actually like babies - so then I couldn't wait until they were bigger...
The only season I remember being totally content with my life was in elementary school. I just lived life. And I did NOT have any desire to move on to middle school - such wisdom deep down from my young soul!
But what I am slowly learning is that waiting can also be part of the journey - not just a hassle or a pain or a "God's totally forgotten about me, so He's just left me here while He takes care of other business" place.
When we wait in contentment, seeking Jesus and drawing closer to Him, then we start growing. While we are waiting we have to slow down. We have to be quiet. We have to be patient. We have to be still and rest and listen. These are not the actions of someone who is lazy or defeated, but rather they require self-control and intentionality - you must actively wait on God.
Honestly, it seems like I am constantly in a season of waiting. I wait, move, and then start waiting again. What I am really working on is seeking Jesus as I wait, regardless of my situation, and learning to be content. Life is hard. Kids are tough. Marriage takes work and patience and forgiveness and understanding. But this is where I am. And I can praise God. I can be thankful. I can find joy in my days - most of the time.
I want to let Christ's peace rule in my heart and be thankful! I want to be content so I can model for my girls what contentment looks like as opposed to entitled. Because, honestly, if I really got what I deserve, I'd be in a heap of trouble!
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17
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