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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
There are always many people worse off than we are ourselves, too many people equate money and possessions with happiness but happiness and contentment aren't things that you can buy. Nearly all the really good and important things in life are free – family, friends and the beauty of the natural world. The love and loyalty of a good dog would be on my list too:)
Thank you so much, ladies!
Beth, yes we have folding chairs! Your folding chairs sound like they are for a good cause! 🙂
I love this. Thank you so much for writing this. I go back and forth, struggle with contentedness. That is a great quote..I want to frame it or something.
Wow…what a precious post. It's funny because I am in my late 40's, and I was wondering if anyone else had fold up metal chairs in their dining area!! haha!! We have two houses…one that is large and lavish and beautiful. One that we are currently living in that is small and in need of work. We are selling the big house…hopefully soon…and are planning to use the money to pursue adoption of a child/childen from Africa. One of these days I will get my better furniture back but for now it is decorating the pretty house. But everyday when I pull in my driveway in my beat up old van, I am happy…thrilled…to have this little old house. The Lord is making a way to add to our family but first we thought it would be his will to get our of debt so I can continue to be a stay at home wife and mother. Thank you for this post. It was lovely!
Beth
This is so true! Sometimes a little perspective can remind us of how good we do have it. Thanks for the beautiful post to remind me to remember the blessings.
Have a great day,
Amy @ Missional Mama
This was a wonderful reminder, Joy . . . we do indeed have so very much to be thankful for! As I read through this, I was reminded of what the apostle Paul shared that “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Philippians 4:11; and as we read elsewhere in Scripture, Paul suffered a great many things.) May this be our heart as well! Content and thankful for whatever we have whether it be an abundance or little.
Thank you for sharing!
Wow-thank you all so much for the encouraging, uplifting comments! You have added so much to the little bit that I wrote, and I was so blessed by reading each one. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, experiences, and your hearts with me and anyone who might read these comments.
I had a very busy day today with FOUR children all coming down with what appears to be the flu or something (fevers, vomiting, body aches, headaches…). The few of us who were able to eat had raw garlic cloves, turkey soup (from bone broth) loaded with ginger, garlic, herbal supplements and tinctures, and a coconut milk smoothie. I'm so much praying my husband and I will escape! 🙂
Again, I thank you all so much for adding to the conversation–I'm humbled that you would stop by here in the midst of your busy days.
Blessings,
Joy
Just read Choosing Gratitude and can wholeheartedly endorse that book. We are so spoiled in this country and we have no idea how the rest of the world really lives. Gosh-I get cranky if I don't get the right coffee at Dunkin Donuts when I order it, and I am ridiculous.
Joy, thank you for opening up about your struggle. Your post really touched my heart.
I am reminded of a trip my hubby & I took to Jamaica a couple of years ago. It was my first time out of the US. He'd tried to "warn" me, but could not have adequately prepared me for what I saw and felt! He grew up in a country near to Jamaica and knew that the conditions were similar.
The poverty was overwhelming to me! I thought WE lived in a small and simple home…but I soon realized that we were wealthy in comparison. Apart from that, all I saw on the faces of the children was joy. Joy while playing with sticks. Joy while running around in creekbeds barefoot with torn clothing. Simple joy.
I came home from that trip changed. I began simplifying my life, giving away all the excess, and looking for the joy in my humble life rather than looking FOR joy in that which I do not have.
Thank you, dear sister, for sharing this message with us!
Dear Joy,
It's easy to see from your post, that the article you read truly touched your heart. This is something I needed to be reminded of today, as I look at my 20 year old carpet upstairs wishing I could replace it.
I had forgotten….. we lived in a third world country in the Middle East for 7 years, and the Lord allowed me to see first hand ~ poverty. Families living with dirt floors and a shell of a house with no glass in the windows and no door, just a cloth hanging over the opening. I still have an 8×10 picture etched in my mind of the little boy standing in the doorway waving at me as I rode by on a horse. His face was so happy.
I remember coming home on a home-leave and listening to a lady next to me in the supermarket complaining to the attendant that the bread was too close to the freezer department. I just stood in shock and listened. The only bread I could get was what I baked myself or at a local neighborhood home bakery, and there was no fresh milk, only canned or powdered. The laundry detergent aisle of the Safeway had two choices of detergent, cheap and expensive. There wasn't a whole aisle of detergents to choose from. A trip to the store here in the States was a culture shock for me, with all the over-whelming decisions to make.
My husband still travels to India, China and other places where the poverty is overwhelming. He comes back from every trip with a truly renewed, grateful heart.
I am so thankful for the Lord allowing me to see what I have seen in His world. I just need to remember and continually count His many, many blessings.
Think I'll go vacuum the upstairs carpet. 🙂
God bless you,
♥