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Monday, March 4, 2013

Contentment In Every Season


Walt Stoneburner 



Perhaps its my personality. Or maybe because I'm a middle child. But it n-e-v-e-r crossed my mind to wonder what I would be doing when I hit this age. If I had dreamed it, I might have been smarter, richer, thinner, funnier, and wiser.

In some ways I'm a slow starter. A true-blue procrastinator.
For example, I was not married until after I turned twenty five. Most of my friends had three children by then.

Maybe that is why much of my adult life I have rushed to and through entire seasons of living.

When I married I was sure the first order of business was to get started on a family. 

When the girls were born I couldn't wait until they would sleep all night and could communicate what they were crying about. 

When their Dad was killed in an accident all I could think of was moving beyond that dark season of life. I admit that I pressed forward hard and had silent hopes someone would sweep me off my feet and take all the pain and trouble away.

When I began my relationship with Jesus I pushed to be some amazing Christian. I didn't grasp that I needed to just be a spiritual baby drinking spiritual milk, before I could ever learn to walk or run. 

On every level and in each aspect of my life, I never learned to rest in the season I was in. It seems I was always striving, reaching for what I thought should be next.

About six years ago I felt that the Lord was speaking to me about some things in ministry I was involved. Feeling that the Spirit had clearly spoken these things, I was on fire! It was one of the most frustrating seasons of my life. There was resistance at every turn.  It was as if a brick wall blocked each bend in the path. For years. It became so exasperating that I eventually stepped down from that  ministry.

Nothing made any sense at all. 

Another year passed and I saw God's hand begin to move. Everything I had thought the Lord told me began to come about. In His mercy I did get to be a part of it all. And it taught me some important things.

The first thing I learned was that I had not waited for Lords timing. When I received what I considered to be "the memo" I thought it meant NOW. Looking back I think it meant, "...pray now."

Secondly it taught me that I need to be more content right in the season I am in. Serving. Praying. Watching. Listening.  Resting. Embracing. Laughing. Living. Loving. And more praying.

The lesson spilled over into being present in what is currently happening in this moment, in every area of life. Marriage, family, ministry, friends, and milestones. The sweet stuff and the not so sweet stuff. To make peace with the things I can't change and to work at the things I can. 

Right now the Lord is preparing us. Shaping us. Molding us into something even more beautiful and amazing than we have the ability to understand. 

Being over fifty seems surreal. Some things are the best ever and some things are just hard. But I long to lap up every drop of what today has, because it too will soon be history.  

We girls like a good "secret" don't we?

Paul talked about "....the secret" of living this kind of life.

 ".....for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little." Philippians 4:11-12 (emphasis mine)


Yes, Paul learned not to squirm off the table of his current situation and to be content even though he might not understand the things happening around him. Another word for 'content' is satisfied

I'm asking myself  this question, "Am I satisfied today?"


How about you?

Are you fully engaged in this current season of life?

How can we as sisters and followers of Jesus say today, "Lord I am satisfied with who You are and where You have me today?" 





Rhonda

9 comments:

  1. I too rushed through my children's growing up years. Looking toward the next phase/age. I think we appreciate time more as we realize how quickly it goes. Right now I say I'm content but I keep seeking what the Lord would like from me in this new phase of life.

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    1. Love to hear that Teresa! I know the Lord clearly spoke to me about this new season of life. And it has been exciting to see Him use me. I'm praying for your new phase!

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  2. I did as well. How much we miss! God is opening my eyes & heart that I may know him intimately.

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    1. Sorry to hear that you were a little like me in this way. So thankful that He is revealing more of Himself to you Jeanni! Press in. Let Him continue. You are such a beautiful woman. He has great plans for you!

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  3. This reminds me a bit of the Mar. 5 'Jesus Calling' devotional: "Though many things feel random and wrong, remember that I am sovereign over everything. I can fit everything into a pattern for good, but only to the extent that you trust me."

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    1. Yes indeed! Love that. Thanks for sharing the devo quote!

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  4. Yes, "entering His rest" and "becoming a child" that we may Know Him.

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  5. good reminder - funny just been thinking of 'life' and how i have been moving waaaaaay too fast and trying to do waaaaaay too much - fitting too much into the alloted time available - it doesn't work well - it can and will cause burnout!!
    as we get older for one thing we just can't do all that we could 20 - 30 years ago - and i am slowly learning that in reality i really don't want to - there is grace in becoming older - we hopefully are much wiser as time goes on and thereby are doing much better in all things

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    1. I'm the poster child for trying to do too much and trying to fit too much in. Not sure how to slow it down. Maybe you have some ideas?

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