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Sometimes, do you ever find yourself feeling discontent with what you have? Maybe just a little bit? I do.
Sometimes I look around and see the well-used metal folding chairs that we use at our kitchen table, and wish I had some beautiful wooden chairs. And then I notice the ancient wood table that hasn’t been refinished–well, maybe ever! I remember that table from childhood, and I don’t know if my parents ever refinished it then. We’ve had it for quite a few years now and added our own water spots, warped wood (from a spilled glass of water no one wiped up until it was too late), mismatched boards in the center to make the table extend long enough for our family, and other imperfections.
Then I notice the old couch that was my husband’s grandmother’s. She gave it to us before she died. And I notice the old couch in the basement that has sagging cushions and a torn spot on the arm with stuffing coming out. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just go out and buy a new couch and chairs.
And then there’s the laundry area. Located in the basement, it’s dimly lit and not pretty. The clean clothes baskets are stored on a rusted black metal shelf, and the washer and dryer are older. My parents gave us the dryer as a wedding gift almost 14 years ago. The washing machine that came with it died several years ago, and in its place stands another old model. The dryer takes forever to dry clothes, and there is a broken piece of plastic with a crevice where clothes with buttons on it get stuck and whipped around until the buttons are pulled off (I “fixed” this issue with a piece of gray duct tape that needs replacing about every few weeks. Annoying, but at least the buttons don’t get pulled off while the tape is on there.).
As I was reading Choosing Gratitude last week, God really changed my heart on these things. Not “once-and-for-all,” as I’m sure I’ll have to confront this issue more than once, but it really had an impact on me.
Nancy relates a story told by Paul David Tripp, in The Journal of Biblical Counseling:
“Passing through New Delhi, in one of the most horrible slums in the world, he [Paul] stood transfixed before a three-year-old boy leaning against the cot of his ailing, perhaps dying, mother. The boy’s eyes were hollow, his stomach distended, his face fly-infested–the very picture of massive, helpless, noxious poverty. The tears that streamed down Paul’s cheeks in observing this tragedy were indeed the heartfelt evidence of his compassion. He longed to sweep this boy and his mother into his arms, away from these dreaded depths of sorrow and endless need…Not long after he arrived back home, Paul was visiting with a church leader from India who had come to the States to study. In the midst of their conversation, he asked the man what he thought of Americans, to which his guest responded–in polite, Asian style–‘Do you want me to be honest?’ ‘Yes, I do,’ Paul answered.
But who could be ready for this:
‘You have no idea how much you have,’ the man said, ‘and yet you always complain.'”
There was so much more to the story, and I would encourage you to read the whole thing for yourself in Nancy’s book if you ever get a chance. But it was as if a sword had pierced my heart and I couldn’t breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes and I was filled with so many emotions:
A painful longing so strong I could hardly bear it, to go and help that poor little one and his mother and every little child (or grown person) suffering such terrible poverty and sorrow.
Extreme gratitude for all that I and my family have so graciously been given.
Shame for ever feeling discontent about such things as folding chairs at the kitchen table and old washers and dryers.
Through tears I entered my basement laundry area and felt such extreme joy at the piles of clothes that met me there. We have clothes to wear! They may have come from the thrift store and they may not be the latest styles, but we have clothes!
And this old washer and dryer seemed so beautiful to me. What luxury to be able to wash and dry clothes in the comfort of my own home! I almost hugged them I felt so happy and thankful to have them.
If we have our priorities straight, we will see that there is so much to be thankful for. Often in our society, we get caught up with wanting so much nice “stuff” and we forget to be thankful for what we do have.
Gratitude can transform something that once seemed unattractive and undesirable into a thing of great beauty and a source of joy.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
~1 Timothy 6:6-8
Thank you so much for this timely reminder. Indeed we are a super-abundantly-blessed nation. May we always be filled with gratitude to God.
Your blog is always a blessing to read 🙂 Keep up the good work!
What a good reminder to have gratitude towards God. It reminds me of when Jesus said if you have raiment and food, to be content. I'm glad you reminded me.
What a beautiful, truthful post! Thank you, Joy! I will definitely be looking into the books you mentioned.
A beautiful post..I feel the same way about material things…I have little in the eyes of man but,what they don't see is just how very rich I am in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.
And yet some others whom have nothing would look and think me to be very rich in material things…no matter how little we have we can always look around and see someone else who has so much less….that is why I love the scripture you have shared. It is one I try and live by daily….blessings
I loved this post, is broke me again, it reminded me again that most of the time I too an ungrateful to the God of the universe for putting me in a family, a christian family praise God! Putting me in a home, a place where we can live without the restraints of the government telling us we can't read out Bibles or pray or worship God! what a gift, thank you so much for the reminder Joy!
In Christ
Rebecca
Oh, so true. Thank you for helping me remember to be thankful today, no matter the circumstances:)
So true, thanks for sharing this with us.
Have a great day 🙂
Joy,
How true this is!
We are the wealthiest people in the world,even when we live humbly, and yet we want more!
You got a change in perspective and thank you for sharing it and reminding us all! We need to be thankful!
Deanna
yes, you are right:)
You cannot imagine how humbled I am at this very moment. Thank you for this post. I am for sure going to put this book on my wish list and I am going to start making a gratitude journal right away, asap. The Lord has already been speaking into this in me and I now HAVE to listen. Thank you for sharing your testimony I am truly impacted by it. Thank you. Now? No more complaining and I will pray that the Lord will help me in this area. But ask Him to teach me gently for I have learned to be careful what I ask for. [o=
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary