Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about the question, “What made my childhood and my mom so wonderful?” Was it the quiet neighborhood where my dad still lives, our big back yard, our wonderful church, my parents, weekends in Nocona with my grandparents, fun times with my brother and sister, trips to New Mexico
This year I have had the privilege of being a part of Community Bible Study. We are studying the book of Acts. In all my years of being in BSF and church, I have never studied this book and Paul's letters in such detail. What I have learned is Mother’s secret and it wasn’t such a big secret after all. She shared this knowledge with me regularly. I was just so hard headed or “strong-willed”, as we like to say today, I didn’t get it.
To paraphrase Paul, who no less than six times says, I have learned to be content. I know our Savior suffered at the hands of the Jews and political leaders but I had never realized how much Paul too suffered persecution and trials, both literally and figuratively. I think 2 Corinthians 9:8 says it well, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all contentment in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Later in that same letter Paul says, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)”
Weakness? Hardships? Calamity? What? Does this mean Paul was content even when the Jews ran him out of town on a rail? Even when he was flogged by the Romans? Even when he was on trial for his life? Paul wrote in Philippians, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Piles of dirty laundry, a sink load of dishes, carpets that need cleaning, snarled traffic, daily home schooling, a super- active toddler, an overworked husband, and a small backyard, I have nothing on Paul or Christ. I too can learn this contentment. Paul says he learned it. It did not happen overnight. It takes practice and repetition. It takes being willing to fail and try again. It takes being yielded to the Holy Spirit. It takes prayer and discipline.
When I watched my twins learn to ride a bike, they each did it in his own way but the end result was the same. One just jumped on the bike, fell off, got back on and took off riding and has not looked back. The other contemplated the bike for a few days after his brother’s success. He at first said, “I think I will learn to ride when I am six.” A few days later, he came back and said that he was ready to learn. He stood for a while, got on the bike, fell off, got back on, fell off again, got back on and then took off riding. He too has not looked back. God willing, they will never again have to learn to ride a bike again. They will have to practice though. In order to become more confident riders, they will have to spend many hours riding, falling off and getting back on. There will be skinned knees and elbows but these are just bumps in the road.
I too have taken that first ride to contentment. I now need to practice, hours and hours of practice. I need to be willing to fall off and then jump right back on. There will be figurative skinned knees and elbows and maybe even some literal ones. In her 70 years here on earth, Mother had many times to practice contentment. She always got back on the bike when she fell off. She relied on our Lord for abounding grace and contentment. She placed her burdens at His feet. She placed her children and husband at His feet. She placed her life at His feet. I am learning.
a lesson we all need. Thanks for reminding us.
Posted by: Mommy22Ss | April 21, 2006 at 07:34 PM
That is a hard lesson to learn.... We are contented here....Logan has decided it is time to give her heart to Jesus. She is going down tomorrow morning. Her Grandpa hopefully will get to baptize her~won't that be special! Her brother who was saved a number of years ago has decided he will get baptized with her!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 22, 2006 at 11:09 PM
I enjoy reading about your mother. She sounds like a special person.
I pray for more contentment too.
Posted by: Katie | April 23, 2006 at 06:56 AM
this reminds me of my wonderful MIL. She is one of the most contented persons I know. I hope I can learn to be more like her.
Deb
Posted by: Deb | April 24, 2006 at 08:19 PM
"I too can learn this contentment." ~ You sound like a champion to me. Some people don't choose to struggle for such good things. Bless you.
~~ Miss Roxie
Posted by: Miss Roxie | April 27, 2006 at 09:32 PM