being content

“Wherever I am, at home, in a hotel, in a train, plane or airport, I would not feel irritated, restless, and desirous of being somewhere else or doing something else. I would know that here and now is what counts and is important because it is God himself who wants me at this time and in this place.”

Henri Nouwen

What a wonderful way to look at life. Can you imagine stopping in the middle of whatever is happening and remembering that God in the midst of it…that you can rest in that fact? I think this speaks to Paul’s comments in Philippians about ‘being content in all circumstances’.

How well do you do this? For me, unfortunately, it depends on the day. For example, while away this past week, on a beautiful cruise, I found things to complain about. I even talked to my husband, on the way to California, about wanting to not complain while on this lovely vacation his mom was providing for us. Because I was paying attention, I noticed at how easy and automatic complaining was to me. Not exactly the shining example of ‘contentedness.’

But, like you, I am on a journey. I can only hope that because of God’s work in my heart and my willingness to surrender myself to him, I will continue to grow in being content, no matter my circumstances.

May you, also, grow in dependence on him and be able to see him in every circumstance in which you find yourself.

Grace and peace,
Deb