Content At All Times

I was recently honoured to attend a beautiful outdoor wedding. The weather was perfect, with just enough breeze to have us observants all watch in comfort, and to keep the insects at bay.

As I watched this young couple promise themselves to one another I began to think about the fun and exciting times I've had in my own life.

Don't you love a new experience, and the excitement that comes along with that?

Looking forward to something is what keeps me, and I'm guessing a lot of us, going. It doesn't even have to be something life-changing, like marriage. Something much smaller can give us a renewed spring in our step, as well.

I was recently speaking with my sixteen year old grandson, who at that time was awaiting his appointment to test for his Driver's License. Being a believer in the future rapture of the church (even from a very young age) I admitted that on occasion I had asked God if He'd wait longer. I wanted to experience my first job as a nurse, have the chance to get married, and to have a baby.

After I'd divulged that, my grandson looked at me and exclaimed, "Grandma! I didn't know if this was wrong, but I want God to wait until I get my driver’s license!"

I chuckled, because I totally get that. As human beings we want to barrel forward, and experience the thrill of all the undiscovered things ahead of us!

Sometimes it's easy to become discontent in the state of which we are, especially when things aren't very exciting in our lives.

As I look around me now I guess I'm at the age where I more often look behind, instead of focussing as much on what's ahead. Although I still have many more dreams for the future, I do look back and wish that I'd been much more thankful for, and content with, what I had inside each and every day of my life. Instead of feeling restless as I waited for what would transpire, perhaps I would've gained more wisdom if I'd been content in every state I'd found myself in.

In those in-between times I think the apostle Paul hit the nail on the head when he wrote:

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." Philippians 4:11-12 (NASB1995)

Incidentally, he wrote that when he was in prison, which absolutely holds more weight.

What's even more amazing is that, earlier in that same chapter, he also penned, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 (NASB1995)

Bottom line: If we're His child, God is more than aware of our exciting times, our saddest moments, and everything in between. He is so good!

As I pray for this vibrant young couple, who've excitedly committed themselves to one another, I can't keep the smile off my face. May they know how blessed they are during every wonderful moment, and their more challenging ones too.

Congratulations to Jessica and Nolan!

And so is my prayer for you today: Be content and feel blessed!

Pattie Janzen

If anyone needs specific prayer for anything, please feel free to contact me here, or at pdjanz11@gmail.com