Being Content with Less is More

I have been working (actually God has been working on me--it's a daily thing!) on the issue of being content. Being satisfied. With what I have; what God has blessed me with. Our society leads us to believe that we cannot be content until we have it all. Until we have achieved the "American Dream". We are constantly striving to achieve the "next big thing". The newer, nicer car; the bigger, more expensive house; the designer clothes; the next job promotion with a bigger salary; the next child......When do we just get to be satisfied with what we have? When can we be content with the car we drive, the house we live in, the clothes that fill our closets? Can we just rest and be satisfied with what God has blessed us with?

My father-in-law told a story this weekend of a visit to see his family in West Virginia when he was a child. His family members hired another family to guard the mouth of a coal mine. The family guarding the mine was to pick out any house and place it at the entrance to the mine at the expense of Mr. Robert's family. Mr. Robert remembers seeing the family's house: an old school bus with no running water or restrooms!! And, this family was happy, content, satisfied, thought they "had it all" with their school bus for a home.

Upon hearing this story, my first thought was, "Oh, how sad for this family. They just didn't know any better. They didn't know what else was out there". But then I thought, how sad for me! I wish I could be content and happy with what I have, believing that I have it all.

Instead, I struggle with contentment, and I allow myself to believe lies that tell me I need more!! I fall into society's/satan's trap of wanting more: More money to buy more "stuff" and to be able to do more "things". More developmental milestones for Andrew to achieve. More social outings to be with friends. More time!!

When assessing what I "do" have, I stand amazed: I have a wonderful husband who loves me; a sweet, healthy son; a house that is just the right size for our family (not too big to clean, but the children may have to share rooms--horror ;) ); a car that is smaller, but gets great gas mileage and is economical for our family; a closet full of clothes, shoes, purses, belts--for each season; a job that I love--being a stay at home mom; friends and family that I can count on; and, most importantly, a God who actually still loves me despite all my faults; despite the fact that he has to remind me daily "just be content".

I heard/read something that was along the lines of "It is not how much money you make or your achievements, but how you live your life that matters". To take it a step further, it is not even how "good" you are, how many people you help along the way, what matters is if you live your life so that others see Jesus in you. Can other people see Jesus in me or do they just see a wife who is concerned with getting a big SUV? When I get to heaven, God is not going to say, "Okay, Christy, you work long hours, volunteer for charities, and have lot's of friends. You drive an expensive luxury car, live in a mansion, and have raised 10 kids. You have a fabulous wardrobe full of designer clothes, shoes, and purses. And ,you own several vacation homes. Because of all of your "stuff" you will have more jewels in your crown and the biggest house in heaven".

Now, I am not advocating being lazy or condeming those who drive nice cars and live in big houses. And, if God wants to bless my family with bigger, nicer "things", I am not going to complain. But discontentment arises when we allow ourselves to become defined by our "stuff"; when wanting "more stuff" becomes our identity; when "more stuff" consumes our thoughts and drives our actions. When we get so caught up in our jobs trying to make more money, our relationships with others and with God suffer. When others look at me and see a wife who complains about her life rather than seeing me as someone who lives for God. Discontentment begins when we live our life for earthly riches and not for the glory of God. Because God really does not care if I have a huge house or a designer wardrobe, he wants me to be a good example of Him for others and for my children.

So, everyday I have to give God my "gimme more" attitude and desires for earthly things. I have to ask myself, "where does having "more stuff" lead me in life?" And, because I am a human, some days are harder than others.