Did you read that as a noun (as in, words and images like you are seeing now)? Or did you immediately think of the adjective (as in, feeling satisfied and fulfilled)?
As you know, I deal with content, the noun, on a regular basis — writing newsletters, web copy, social media posts, etc. (Thank you for reading my content!) I’ve worked as a content writer for nonprofits the last two years through my business, DLS Communicator for Global Good.
But the content today is about the adjective version. The photo above is where I am most content — a sunshiny day on my deck — with my coffee to sip, the birds singing and books to read. Ahhh…. so ready now for Spring so I can be more content! Where are you most content? I’d love to know.
We know what the Apostle Paul has to say about contentment. If you don’t remember, I have it for you in the Wednesday in the Word section. As I was thinking about being content, I remembered a blog I wrote five years ago. I can’t describe contentment better than this:
My good friend has colorectal cancer. And of ALL the people in the world who shouldn’t have developed this sneaky evil in her body, it’s her. I’ve known her for 6 1/2 years through work with She Is Safe and we’ve traveled together numerous times. She is always the one who eats fruit and veggies and jogs every morning and did yoga stretches on her mat in our Indonesian hotel room early in the mornings. While I was the one who laid lounging in bed and thought to myself, “Hmmm…. well, good for you.” I wanted to be like her… with all that energy and zest for exercise. But, no… I chose not to.
“Have you been angry yet?” I asked Cherylann the question at the end of our annual She Is Safe meeting when we had some time to talk through her current journey. The journey that includes regular infusions and CT scans and multiple daily meds to keep the cancer at bay. Her answer humbled me. “No… maybe that’s coming, but I think, ‘Why not me?'”
And I’m humbled. In fact, our morning Bible studies at our conference dealt with that very topic: Humility. As I contemplated Cherylann’s answer, I told her, “If I am ever in your situation, I want to be just like you in the way you handle all of this with so much wisdom and grace.” She smiled and told me I was kind.
And then, only three days after our humbling conversation, my humility was tested at home. And I failed. Miserably. It was one of those mornings when nothing went right… the toilet clogged, the internet connection was down, the television remote control busted… one crisis on top of the other… or so it seemed. I wasn’t a happy person. Even Rosie, my sweet Labrador, knew I was upset and went and scooped up her stuffed duck in her mouth and walked about the house with it… trying to comfort me and herself from my anger. After all.. I couldn’t do my important work without an internet connection… I couldn’t turn on the television or even flush the toilet, for crying out loud. Could I suffer anymore tragedy on one horrible, no-good, Monday morning?
Then, slowly… after the cloud of anger lifted, I remember… the Apostle Paul said of his many trials… “I have learned to be content in all things…” I remembered Cherylann saying… “Why not me?” I remembered the She Is Safe South Sudan Country Director reporting women in that war-torn location saying, “I’m tired of being raped.” Can you imagine? I can’t. And I find myself humbled that my first-world inconveniences release in me immediate anger.
Why not me? Why not you? I know different types of challenges have different consequences and sometimes anger is part of the grief process. I am aware of the unequal injustices in each circumstance. But, if cancer or threat of repeated violence or clogged toilets are our trial today… regardless… we have a choice to respond in anger or contentment. Rage or wisdom. To be mad or to display grace. We have a choice to ask God to bring us through the pain, the sorrow, the roadblock and ask that he be honored in our response when anger verses contentment.
NOTE: Cherylann lost her battle to cancer and received ultimate healing in heaven. This story will be published in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Life and Light with you Neighborhood and the Nations. A story about being discontent is listed in the section below in Good Unseen People.
Wednesday in the Word
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
Good Unseen People
The story cited below explores the word discontent and what happens when bad choices are made. Join me on a walk around my neighborhood and consider what is happening behind the doors in the houses on my morning walk.
Some of the words I recommend have associate links. All that mean is, if you click on them and purchase, I receive some support to continue this good work every Wednesday. Thanks in advance.
NOTE: There is absolutely no expectation or pressure from me about purchasing products or upgrading from a free to a paid subscription. I am just giving you options should you want them. Let me know if you have questions.
A Final Word
Comparison is the enemy of contentment. When you read all the sappy happy posts on your favorite social media site, you ask yourself, “Why can’t I be like that? When will I have all the things that will make be happy? Why not me??”
We all do it. When I find myself envious of others… when I compare and find myself lacking, I try to remember to stop. Just stop. Take a deep breath. Pray. Go for a walk. Go to my happy place … my deck (see photo above.) What do you do to find balance and contentment? Please share! I’d love to know.
Thank you Pat! So glad it was helpful for you today. So sorry for your knee pain. That’s no good. But God is good! Thank you for reading and encouraging me today! Grateful.
What a day of rejoicing that will be! Thanks,
Emily. I always enjoy your insights. I enjoyed seeing you last weekend!
Thank you Pat! So glad it was helpful for you today. So sorry for your knee pain. That’s no good. But God is good! Thank you for reading and encouraging me today! Grateful.