Among the long list of things God has managed to teach me during this tight financial time for my family (with owning 2 houses for almost half a year), the one that is resonating with me most during this season is the feeling of contentment.
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There are ads galore nowadays.
Ads on TV,
ads on the radio,
ads on the internet,
ads in the newspaper...
you can't get through the day without seeing/hearing about the latest "must haves" this holiday season.
"You have the iPhone 4S? That's not good enough, my friends. Sorry that you just purchased it less than 3 months ago because you NEED the iPhone 5 right. now. This phone has a bigger screen, a sleeker body, can hold more memory, weighs SO much less,
These messages start to get to me.
They begin to let them define who I am.
I don't even own an iPhone, let alone the newest, greatest version.
That begins to make me feel "less than".
...and I know I'm not the only one who feels this.
These ads that are taking over our lives begin to make us all feel discontent with what we've already been blessed with.
Nevermind the fact that we've only owned said item for just a few months.
These ads begin to let their lies creep in...
"If only you had THIS (insert hot new item here)...THEN you'd be happy. Truly happy."
Not having the money this year to purchase the latest and greatest has taught me so much.
I can hear God gently whispering to me,
"Kristin, it's time you learn to be content with what you have."
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
1 Timothy 6:6-8
This holiday season, I'm learning to be content with what I have.
I'm so grateful for my hard working husband.
I'm thankful that he works his tail off so I can have the privilege of staying home with my son.
NO dollar amount (or hot new item) can replace that.
Will there be times this season when I think,
"Boy, I sure would love that cute new sweater."
"Boy, I sure would love that cute new sweater."
Yes. I'm human.
...but I'm sure going to try my hardest to remind myself to be content with what I already have.
After all,
I've been blessed with so much.
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Speaking of feeling blessed...
I feel so fortunate to have met and become fast friends with fellow blogger, Katie, from Standpipe & Sprinkles. She was one of the first to reach out to me as I began this blogging journey, and I love her dearly for that.
She has a pretty fantastic love story, the most adorable little girl, Maile, aaaaand we both may or may not have a bad case of baby fever.
Seriously, friends, go check out her blog. It will become a favorite of yours, too!
If you stop by, be sure to leave her a comment and tell her I sent you!
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what a great reminder, especially in the holiday season it is easy to get all caught up on price point, when that is not the purpose of the holidays at all..
ReplyDeleteTotally needed to hear this right now... great Scripture verse. Thanks for sharing <3 xo C
ReplyDeleteHeather Marie, you are so right. It's a lot easier to learn contentment when there is no money to be spent (at least that's what I'm finding out, anyway...)
ReplyDeleteC, you are so kind. Thanks for stopping by today!
You are the sweetest for giving me a little shoutout here. I am so very thankful to have met you so early on in our blogging journey!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't even begin to tell you how much this post spoke to my heart. I am so very guilty of the "gimmes" and Tim is actually the one who most keeps me accountable. Is it strange to be jealous of my husband? Because I often am. He never questions his faith. He is always thankful. He gives glory to God for all we have. It's amazing. And I strive to be more like him.
This past weekend, I was given a healthy dose of perspective. On Saturday, Maile and I went to have a belated Thanksgiving dinner with a new mama friend and her daughter. I was nervous. We live in the same neighborhood, but they live on the wealthier side. Her husband is a doctor. She drives a new car. She does SO many things with her daughter. I mean, this girl is in every activity possible for a 22 month-old. Her daughter always has new clothes ... the latest and greatest toys. I mean, she has her own iPad. We don't even have a family iPad! LOL.
But over the course of the evening, I found out that my new friend will be finalizing her divorce this week. Her doctor husband was having an affair, and has no interest in reconciliation with his wife of 7 years. So as I prayed for her that night, I also found myself crying "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord, for all you have given me. For my family."
This is not to say that we don't have our bad days, but it made me so grateful for all the INTANGIBLE things I am blessed with!
Thanks for sharing this, Kristin.
Ohhh miss Katie.
ReplyDeleteI loved this comment from you.
I couldn't agree more with beng jealous of husbands...I'm the same way.
Also, your story about Saturday moved me to tears...you are SO right about perspective.
Money and...things definitely don't provide happiness.
We are so lucky to have our little families...
You are a blessing, my friend.
Thank you!
I could have written this myself. It's SO easy to focus in on "that" item that will equal happiness... only it never does. Right now, for me, it's a bigger house. A more fit body. A newer computer (which, mine is legitimately biting the dust, but still). I just know that when I fall into that greed, that is simply NOT being kingdom-focused.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wake-up, friend. :-)
Lindsy, you are so very right and so very welcome.
DeleteI always think to myself,
"If I could just get _____, then life would be grand."
It never works, though.
I loved what you said about being kingdom-focused.
SUCH a great way to look at that!