Our family devo the other night was about contentment. It made me think about myself. I admit, I am not setting a very good example in this department.
At the mall the other day (for a youth ministry meeting, no less) I was doing a little people-watching before the meeting started. And I noticed something: my eyes were drawn to all the moms with little ones. Wait, let me take that back: my eyes were drawn LONGINGLY to all the moms with little ones. There they were: enjoying a day of shopping and then eating at the food court. The kids were eating their kids' meals, the moms were visiting amongst themselves, the babies were sleeping soundly in strollers and slings and laps. It was one of those "motherhood moments" when you are taken back to the days when you were there.
And then I snapped myself back into reality. Three years ago, after eleven years of being a stay-at-home mom, I re-entered the workforce full-time. It was a conscious decision, not necessarily made out of financial need, but out of a need for sanity. The monotony and routine and mommy-ness of life was too much; I had given and given and given of myself...it was time for a change.
I remember when I WAS one of those moms at the mall. I would look LONGINGLY at the business women and professionals. How blessed they were! Not "stuck at home" with babies and toddlers. Out and about in the world, having lunch, wearing glamorous clothes and carrying designer bags.
Can you say "the grass is always greener....?"
Tonight, these words were running through my mind: "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Huh? What'd you say, there, God? Between Bub's basketball practice and Sophie's gymnastics class, I kept hearing it: "Godliness with contentment is great gain." (should I mention it is a small miracle that I even heard it over four kids' noise in the car?)
So, after all the pick-ups and drop-offs, I came back to the church and looked up the passage. Here it is in its entirety:
1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
OK, then, Mr. Apostle Paul. So you're saying if I pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, contentment will follow? But if I want to "get rich" (however that may look) I will fall into temptation and entrapment?
Godliness with contentment obviously looks vastly different than my heart right now. God is telling me to pursue these other virtues more than money or self-centered desires.
Righteousness: Am I quick to esteem honesty and integrity over sinful desires?
Godliness: Is Christ my sole role model?
Faith: Is that which is "unseen" my foundation, my trust, my hope? Or am I relying on that which is tangible?
Love: Do I choose to be last rather than first with my family, children, friends, and loved ones? Do I make OTHERS my priority, or myself?
Endurance: Ugh, this is a tough one...when the going gets tough, well, I like to throw up my hands! The Apostle Paul also told us to "Run with ENDURANCE this race (the Christian life) before us...." Do I push on when I feel like giving up? Do I keep going when quitting would be easier?
Gentleness: Ahhhh, gentleness. It's an attribute that all mothers, church workers, faith leaders, PEOPLE should embrace. Gentleness....are my words tempered with kindness and softness? Is my touch welcoming, warm, embracing?
I am choosing to make a conscious effort to embrace these virtues in this season of my life. Maybe next time I am wistfully looking at a momma and her baby, I can remember with joy my own babies, while celebrating the very godly young people they are becoming. And HOPEFULLY, PRAYERFULLY, I can help instill in them the value of godliness with contentment.
In Him,
Jessica
