March 10: Contentment When Treated Unjustly

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Hab. 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom

And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls, 

Yet I will exult in the LORD,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 

The Lord GOD is my strength,

And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,

And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments. 

Psa. 138:8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;

Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 

CONTENTMENT IN GOD

God controls history in general and our lives in particular. All good as well as suffering are under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Both have meaning and purpose in His eternal plan.  He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good. (Jerry Bridges)

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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I am sitting here pretty much stunned by the treatment I received yesterday at an old, reputable shoe repair shop in our city.  It's a shop that we have referred others to for quality work at a reasonable (not cheap) price.  Well, I picked up a pair of shoes for my husband which looked great and also picked up a small purse which had had two spots on the front where the leather had worn.  I had dropped it off about a month prior to this and   had requested that my purse not be touched if they could not match it since it was a Coach handbag.


To make a long story short, all the owner did was rub the spots enough to remove some of the color from the surrounding area of the spots.  One spot looked pretty good but the color around it was now faded. The other spot did not look good at all and the color around it was ALSO faded.  I gently told the  man that I was not satisfied with the work and that the purse looked worse now than it did when I brought it in.   I then explained to him what I had originally asked him to do.  He went into a tirade for about 5 minutes (seemed like 15 or more) actually yelling at me that he had done good work, the best he could do, and ended up telling me to take my business elsewhere.  I couldn't believe this was happening.  He is 80+ years old AND a Christian (or so he says) so I didn't want to yell back so I said nothing but paid him the $10 and left.  My son who was in the car with his iPod on said he could hear him yelling at me (I was picking up at the outdoor walk-up window.)  


On the drive home I was getting pretty angry but also had hurt feelings.   I told my sweet husband about it and he offered to pick up dinner.  :)  Cooking was therapeutic though.


Anyway, this morning I am calmed down and trusting God with the events of yesterday.  I do believe Romans 8:28, so I am resting in that truth.   That man must have had a bad day although it was a shame for him to lose our business. I noticed on his website that there has been other rude behavior as well.   I  honestly have no idea why he behaved with such hostility toward me.  I guess this was a test for me to hold my tongue and not lash out in anger at him.  Thankfully, the purse only cost me $2 but it was a Coach purse in an unusual color that I had intended to use myself or sell it on Ebay. I've never had one before.  I still may try to list it once just to see if it will sell.  When you get lemons, try making lemonade...

March 9: Contentment and What You Eat

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Psa. 144:15 How blessed are the people who are so situated;  How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! 

James 1:2-3  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 

2Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 

Contentment is...

... Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances. (Elisabeth Elliot)

...being happy with one's lot; a deep satisfaction. (Webster's Dictionary)

...a state of the heart, not a state of affairs.  (Timothy Sanford)

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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FOOD:  What a thing to write about...contentment with your food.  I tell you though, it starts with training your young children to eat what is served to them or at least to taste it.  Allergies notwithstanding, of course.  I have met so many 20- and 30-somethings, especially men, who do not eat anything green with the possible exception of CANNED green beans!  I don't know what their mothers were thinking when they raised them. Not to mention that it's rude to a hostess to not eat what is served.

Besides the obvious health benefits of eating fresh vegetables and fruits, they really do taste good.   Many nutrients are lost by overcooking.  For some, it's just a matter of drinking more water when they eat more fiber, which helps to digest the raw food.  I certainly don't eat everything raw but I do serve at least one raw food with each meal so my family gets the enzymes they need for proper digestion.

I'll be teaching a short class at our Titus 2 Moms Group next week on making homemade baby food so I'll save that blog for next week.  Making your own baby food helps a child develop a taste for what is served in that household and helps eliminate picky eaters.

Besides the health value, being content with what you eat is a matter of the heart (literally and figuratively speaking).  Everyone enjoys going out to dinner.  I know that I do also. Finances do not make this a daily or sometimes even weekly habit for our family. Being creative with the cooking at home helps to  train your family to be content with homemade meals and keeps them healthier in the long run.   It also teaches them manners for when they are dinner guests at other people's homes who may serve something different than what they are accustomed to eating.  Some serve more elaborate meals with 4-5 foods to choose from; some serve very basic meals with only one or two items on your plate.  I tend to serve at least three food items  at each meal--main item with two side dishes, one of which is fresh.

There is an excellent book I checked out from the library called The Hungry Planet: What the World Eats which brings this concept of being content with what you have to eat to a personal level.   Families from around the world are pictured with a week's supply of groceries.  The contrast is striking from place to place.  A thorough narrative describes how the family income is earned,what is grown, the types of stores available and in some case, rations that are necessary.  This book will really open your eyes to the rest of the world and help you see how abundant resources are here in the United States compared to many who are lacking.  Another cookbook that I own and  have enjoyed reading and using is More with Less written by a Mennonite woman.  It's about how to prepare healthy meals that are balanced and not excessive using what you have on hand.

Be content with what you eat. God has provided it for your nourishment primarily. Whatever you eat is enjoyed more depending on the company and conversation you keep while dining.

Matt. 6:25  “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

March 8: Contentment and Your Marriage

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Col. 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. 

Eccl. 3:7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;

A time to be silent and a time to speak. 

Psa. 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips. 

Prov. 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

But perversion in it crushes the spirit. 

Prov. 25:11   Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken in right circumstances. 

What does the speech of a contented Spirit-filled woman sound like?

She speaks with truthfulness thankfulness, with a gentle answer, praise, with tact, encouragement, a soothing tongue, timeliness and with pleasant words.  (The Heart of the Problem, Henry Brandt)

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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MARRIAGE:  The verses above about our tongues certainly can apply to marriage and other family relationships.  The words that come out of our mouths can build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, build love or provoke anger.  Often, when the  seed of discontentment is growing, it is evident in the words we speak.  [For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  (Luke 6:45)]  

Why are we discontented with our spouse?  Usually we have compared the spouse to another person that we know, or that we have seen (at work or on TV), or that we have imagined.  We have to keep in mind that when we work with people or see them out and about, they are generally on their best behavior, clean, dressed and pressed.  People we see  in the media are airbrushed, heavily made up and scripted.  Our imaginations can take bits and pieces of what we have seen or read about and make them real in our minds.  Don't be deceived.   The grass is always greener, not on the other side of the fence,  but where it is fertilized and watered.

Fertilizing and watering in a marriage includes  being courteous, speaking kindly and  behaving gently with one another.  When  husbands and wives treat each other in this way, they each become more appreciative, caring and contented with the marriage and with each other.  One day at a time, one choice at a time, one word at a time...it's worth the effort.

March 7: Contentment / Sunday

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Rom. 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. 

Gal. 5:16, 22-23 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

What does a contented Spirit-filled woman look like?

Her heart is full of: forgiveness, hope, appreciation, willingness, wisdom, impartiality, mercy, humility, self-control, thankfulness, gratitude. (The Heart of the Problem, Henry Brandt)

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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Enjoy Sunday with your family!  If you can't make it to church, listen to some good teaching online. Here are some of my favorites:

Pastor (Dr.) Curt Heffelfinger

Dr. Charles Stanley

Dr. R.C. Sproul

John MacArthur

Dr. John Piper

March 6: Contentment / Saturday

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Prov. 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. 

Psa. 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way. 

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Discontentment is just a repentant prayer away from a change of heart.

(The Heart of the Problem, Henry Brandt)

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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I'm off today accompanying two band students (alto sax and trumpet) in a music festival.   This is the first competition for each. Thankfully we will  have a private room with several judges and hopefully, their parents present.  I'm getting there early and will be there most of the afternoon.  Hoping to do a little music networking while I'm there. Have a great Saturday!

UPDATE p.m.: They both scored 1's (Superior rating) by the judges!  :)

March 5: Contentment and Your Job

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Psalm 118:24  This is the day the Lord has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Matthew 6:34  So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18   Always be joyful. Keep on praying No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to  Christ Jesus.

5 HOLY HABITS OF HIGHLY CONTENTED WOMEN

1.  Never allow yourself to complain about anything--not even the weather.

2.  Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.

3.  Never compare your lot with another.

4.  Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.

5.  Never dwell on tomorrow--remember that is God's, not ours.

(Ella Spee, missionary in Africa for 52 years)


[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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During my morning walk today, before I met up with my friend Virginia, I was listening to a Podcast from Crown Ministries radio program Money Matters.  I love that broadcast and save many programs on my iPod to hear later. So many practical tips and ideas for the financial and spiritual aspects of the world in which we live.  The broadcast I was listening to this morning (from February 15)  featured a guest speaker named Susan Whitcomb who is  a career coach and the  author of  The Christian's Career Journey.  I loved what she said about what  a JOB is:  Journey Of Becoming whom God designed you to be.


My current "job" is a mom at home as well as managing an Ebay business and playing and teaching the piano.  I love all three of these simply because they each require gifts that I have developed over the years and therefore, are quite fulfilling for me. I don't have issues with dreaming about being somewhere else or even doing anything else.  Although some may find what I do uninteresting, I am always learning and practicing new things, discovering new ways of helping others and growing on the inside. I would say that I am Becoming...


If you work 8-5 at a job that is not in the area of your gifts, by all means spend time AFTER your job doing some of the things that DO inspire, motivate and use your talents.  Oftentimes, these are the creative aspects of your personality.   It will boost your morale and give you a new "lease on life".   The  5 habits listed above are suitable for men as well as women.  In a nutshell, they remind us to live in the present and within our means  that God has provided without complaining, helping us to stay content.

March 4: Contentment When Interruptions Occur

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." 

1Cor. 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord...

PEACE  &  CONTENTMENT

Two women looked through prison bars, one saw mud, the other saw stars. (Unknown)

In acceptance lieth peace. (Amy  Carmichael)

Peaceful trust in God will cure anxiety even in the midst of a crisis.  Forgiving others quiets your own heart.  (Henry Brandt)


[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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INTERRUPTIONS:  This week my husband decided to work from home on Monday and Tuesday which means I did not have use of our large desktop computer except when he took short breaks.   Yes, I have my own 13" Mac laptop now (courtesy of my son) but when I work on Word or Excel I generally prefer to see the document in a larger format especially since I keep 2-3 applications open at the same time while I am working on a project.  This 2-day absence from that computer gave me more time to do other things (primarily a lot of cooking) but one of my regular weekly email projects that I do for our church got behind.  Plus, he had some trouble with the printer on his projects and I had to take time out and be a tekkie as well.  This morning when he returned to work,  I spent 2-3 hours online  just getting caught up.  I'm not usually a procrastinator and I like to do time-consuming projects a little bit at a time rather than have them pile up; my husband and I are completely opposite in this way.  


Although it was an annoyance in that way having him here, it was a blessing in other ways.  My younger son was able to come in and chat throughout the day plus he had lunch with us.  They do not spend enough time together as it is, so this was a great joy for me to see.  He was also able to take a short nap each day which he needs to do at work but most of the time is not able to do so.  On Monday we had a special friend from church who is mostly blind come and "tutor" a conversational Spanish lesson with my younger son and one of his friends. My husband was able to sit in on part of that as well.  He is generally not involved in homeschooling.   Our older son works nearby on Tuesdays and arrives here around 5:00 p.m.  This time my husband was home to see him and spend more of the afternoon and evening than he normally would have, since he arrives home at 6:30 p.m. or later.  

So, although the change of plans was a distraction, it had many plusses on the family side of things.  All in all, after pondering over the last two days I can honestly say it was good to have had him home with us.  If you are a mom with young children, these distractions occur almost hourly.  You look around the house and see myriads of things to be done, yet your little one(s) are constantly wanting to spend time with you, play with you and talk.  I like to keep a tidy house, too, but cleaning up a little bit at a time really is OK.   We Type A's need to keenly discern what matters more; the good is not always the best.  Trust me, you'll be glad you spent the time with your children when they older and going off in different directions.  My children and I have always had an "ongoing conversation" which is as natural as breathing to us.  I would not trade that for  more money, a nicer car, or a perfect home.  The primary goal for me was to have a happy, cohesive and close family.  In this day and age hard choices and sacrifices have to be made to accomplish that but it has certainly been worth it for us.

March 3: Contentment and Music Rehearsals

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Phil. 4:6-7   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

2Th. 3:16   Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 

PEACE & CONTENTMENT

If you want to receive peace from God, you need to present your requests to Him in a relaxed, cheerful, thankful and trusting fashion...The peace that passes all understanding comes from prayer that is based on the Word of God...The evidence that your prayer is acceptable to God is that you experience the peace of God in your heart.  (Henry Brandt)


[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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This Saturday I am the piano accompanist for two young band students, boys, about 10-11 years old.  They are each playing their chosen instruments, alto saxophone and trumpet, in a competitive solo/ensemble competition that afternoon. 
I have three half-hour rehearsals with them separately, then the competition.  I find myself wanting to train them as apparently their current teachers have not, in rhythm and counting, dynamics and interpreting the music. It's been a crash course in music theory for these students.   I was getting a little anxious today with one of them but then I remembered that they are both playing wind instruments which  require correct breathing to play well.  Since I play piano, I am not accustomed to a blue-in-the-face feeling but these kids were about to hyperventilate from going over and over the music  with me in 30 minutes time.  Little breaks and some laughter between each review plus a few encouraging words worked wonders.  Plus, when the mom came in during the last 5 minutes to hear, the playing improved dramatically!  :)  It's my job to make them look better than they are but I do hope they both play their best on Saturday for the competition.  I told them, as I tell all my piano students to Relax and Enjoy the Music.... :)

March 2: Contentment and Our Moods

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES

Psa. 16:8-9 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.   Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 

1Pet. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials... 

2Cor. 7:6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus...

CONTENTMENT vs. HAPPINESS

• Real contentment defeats discouragement.
• Artificial happiness covers it up.
• Genuine contentment is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us.
• Fake happiness is temporary because it is based on places, activities, circumstances, feelings, possessions and relationships.

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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The beginning of March...spring is in the air.  Here in Florida it's been a few weeks of very cold weather and a fair amount of rain.  Tomorrow is supposed to be a stormy day.  One thing about living here--the weather does change fairly often.  I suppose that could be correlated with the moods of life, sometimes several in a given day. 

As I look back over the month of February  I remember myself as being tense and irritable (jury duty week), sad and compassionate (funerals), fun and cheerful (outings with friends and family) and organized and analytical (doing taxes, cleaning out inventory).  These adjectives could also be said of me occasionally, all on the same day as well.  Most people change their moods depending on their circumstances.  I am trying to re-learn and re-focus on contentment myself to stay on a more even keel.   The  theme of contentment is perfect for me for the month of March as I check myself in my temperament, attitude and words.  Let's journey together and focus on  being women/men of real contentment, rather than artificial happiness.

March 1: Contentment and Tax Preparation

Several years ago a dear friend of mine, Karen Horsey, compiled a booklet of thoughts and quotes for a women's seminar called  Contentment, A Matter of the Heart, which I keep open next to my Bible.  Karen is a long-term missionary  with Campus Crusade for Christ, wife to Dave, and mother of three grown children with two grandchildren.   I try to read her little booklet every day along with my Bible during my quiet moments, usually in the morning.  There are 31 days' worth, one for each day of the month.  I'll begin each blog in March with these.

CONTENTMENT SCRIPTURES  FOR THE DAY

Psa. 16:5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 

1Pet. 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 

Is. 26:4 “Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. 

Psa. 68:19   Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Selah. 

CONTENTMENT vs. HAPPINESS

• True contentment comes from knowing and trusting God.
• False happiness comes when things are going well.
• Authentic contentment is steady as long as we trust God, and it can be felt in the midst of troubles.
• Counterfeit happiness is unpredictable. When hardships come, we may sink into depression.

[excerpted from Contentment: A Matter of the Heart by Karen Horsey / Karen's Kreations]

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I will begin Spring Cleaning later in the month but right now, I'm starting the various steps needed to prepare our tax return.  Primarily it's a matter of gathering documents, filing, sorting, selecting and inputting everything needed to complete our accountant's Tax Organizer.  I'm still not quite sure what we're paying him for since it seems I do so much of the work, but we're beyond the basic 1040EZ and itemize everything for our household and our three home businesses.  I don't trust myself in preparing such a detailed return.

On Saturday I finished gathering the remainder of 2009 documents which will be filed in a large expandable folder.  Next, I will be going through every single piece of paper in that folder and tossing what is not needed for taxes and grouping together by category everything that is related. Then I'll start printing reports from my Ebay business which are easily accessible since I have a store.  After that I go through every credit card statement and checkbook register, highlighting all the transactions that are tax-related.  These are then input into the computer via Quicken and I print out the reports that are needed for major categories.  The tax organizer is filled out and then taken to the accountant.  I hope to finish everything in two weeks since each "step" will take a few hours to accomplish.  Doing a little each day helps keep me from getting stressed and/or overwhelmed by this sizeable project.