As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Contentment Lane


Every week I am reminded. 

Because every week, I drive past this sign as I take Bekah to her piano lesson. 

And every week I ask myself the same question, "Do I live on Contentment Lane?" 



It's where I want to live for I know the words of truth, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."  (I Timothy 6:6)

The Apostle Paul knew contentment.  He said,

Not that I speak in regard to need,
for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things
I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer need.
(Philippians 4:10-12)


In this season of home improvement at our house, I must guard my heart.  I love home, and my house is my hobby.  But I must take care that my contentment is not dependent on "the stuff of earth." 

True contentment is acceptance of what He has given to me. 

  • Whether I have my farmhouse sink or not, am I content with His gifts?
  • If my son and his family remain miles and miles away, can I accept that as His gift? 
  • If my health fails, can I trust His mercy in that?
  • When I have tribulation, or persecution, can I rejoice in His goodness?
  • If friends are not faithful, am I content with His faithfulness?
  • When I lose a loved one, is He enough? 


These are hard questions.  My "natural man" says no to each one.  But it was in the context of his discussion of contentment (knowing how to be full and hungry, how to abound and suffer need), that Paul proclaimed, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."


It is only through Christ who strengthens me that I can live my life on Contentment Lane.    

I believe that Joseph Gilmore had learned to live life on Contentment Lane when he penned these lyrics of the hymn "He Leadeth Me." 
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,

Content whatever lot I see,
Since ‘tis Thy hand that leadeth me.

6 comments:

  1. Your comments are so "on target". Contentment is something we all need, whatever our lot in life. It seems like there is always something else to want and we think we will be content but then there is something else and something else. We need to be thankful for and appreciate our many blessings. Thank you for your inspiring words today. Blessings, Sharon D.

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  2. Such wonderful encouragement! I too want to live on Contentment Lane!

    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

    Deanna

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  3. What a wonderful lane to live on. I think we love our homes so because God is the author of "home" and yet, Jesus said that He had no place to lay his head. Hmmm...deep thoughts can be so troubling.

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  4. Food for my spirit today, Cheryl! A most well written and heartfelt post. Thank you for sharing, I am blessed.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  5. There is so much truth in your post today! Thanks for the inspiring words. As I grow older, the "things" that tried to draw me from Contentment Lane when I was younger have faded away; the challenge now seems to be my situation in life as a result of change in our family's locations. Last August, when my daughter and her family moved across the country, I'd say I was as far from Contentment Lane as I'd ever been. As I've seen her family slowly find confident footing in their new home and church, it's easier to accept my our new situation as part of God's plan for our family. Thanks for this post; it's just what I needed today.

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  6. I visited my aunt in a nursing home earlier this week. With a beautiful smile, she said, "I'm so content to be here." (Clearly she meant it.) It blessed me SO to hear it and see it.

    This post is so timely for me. I also was pleased to be reminded of that song! Where e'er I go, Where e'er I be...still 'tis His hand that leadeth me!

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