Use What You Have

This season I'm in seems to be offering Contentment at every turn.  Not the "oh, I just am so at peace with this moment" Contentment, but the option to rest in it, or.... scurry around in stress.  My eyes are being opened more and more to the Good that is all around me.  Again, not in a "I just want to dance and sing with all my energetic reserves" but a whispering....an alluring....a sensing....of something Real.

When I am not content with who is in my life, or what I have been given, I look to the Other.  I look to Stuff.  I look to Myself.

None of which delivers.

When I am made aware that what I have is enough for the task/need in front of me, I can smile.  I can push up my sleeves and get to work.  I can choose Contentment.

This applies in very practical ways, by the way.  And it is a GREAT help when arguing with the Could/Should/Must's in my head.  Take a glimpse:

* "I should write a book and make a fancy blog." is challenged by: "I find freedom in anonymous, small, authentic community.  I don't like screen time.  I enjoy alone time. When I find a few moments, I don't want to do something BIG....I want to do something simple.  I am not tech-savvy."

* "I should buy a new air mattress for when we have company" is challenged by: "I can find one on Craig's List for a fraction of the cost, if I take the time to look around, do my homework, and be willing to wait a few weeks. or months."

* "If I am just strong enough, putting in enough self-effort, I can overcome anything." is challenged by: "I have limitations.  I need sleep.  I need alone time.  I need Jesus!  I need GRACE!  Resting in Grace and not trusting in my self-effort, is what leads to true change."

* "If I was a better mom, my kids would be eating organic everything, play outdoors for hours, and never watch TV" is challenged by: "Reality is, there are times when going outdoors is just not feasible, and I need them to be still, and we can't afford that kind of food.  Yes, I could be more creative, but sometimes it just means having frozen veggies alongside a sandwich, while watching Blue's Clue's together."

* "I've done something wrong, cuz Life isn't what I thought it would be." is challenged by....well, lol, when does it ever turn out how we expect?! 

Ok, enough of that....there's a smattering for you of some of my rolling thoughts. 


Use what you have, and try to have a smile served up alongside.  I've been given what I need for Today. 



Daily Bread: not served with a plan, but by a Good Father.