Philippians 4:11-12New King James Version (NKJV)
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 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.
Do you complain about everything or have you learned to enjoy what you have? Have you learned to appreciate things. Joni Mitchell wrote a song called Big Yellow Taxi. The words are as follows:
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone?
They paved paradise, Put up a parking lot
Do you appreciate what you have? Do you appreciate those around you? If so, do they know? How many times do people never tell others how much they mean to them? I appreciate you!
Whenever I hear this above verse, I think of my Dad. My father was the picture of contentment. He was almost always happy except when he couldn’t find the TV Guide. One time, my wife Jean cooked “Award Winning Chicken” from a recipe she got from the newspaper. Jean is a really good (make that Great) cook! In our almost 40 years of marriage, she has had only one failure in the kitchen and that was it! The chicken was awful! We all sat down to eat. Nobody wanted to be the one to tell Jean it was awful. Jean broke the silence! Meanwhile, Dad was still eating. I asked him what he thought of the chicken. Dad said it was interesting and continued eating. My Dad would never ever say anything bad about Jean’s cooking. I learned something that day! I learned to be content whatever my situation. You see, my Dad led by example. Whether in need or blessed, I have learned to be content from him.
Are you happy? I am not suggesting that you not strive for better. You should always try to be all God has planned for you to be. He has put dreams in your heart and you should reach for them. But please enjoy things along the way. Life is a journey, not a destination. It is all about relationships! Don’t worry, be happy! Be content! Smile more! Thank people for what they do! Live each moment! Enjoy your blessings and your life will be a blessing to you and others! Tell them you care! Tell them!
Lord, teach us to be happy with what we have while listening to you for Your guidance. Your plan for us is perfect. You have given us all we need to be who You created us to be. Let an attitude of gratitude flavor everything we do and let that bring glory to you. In Your name we pray! Amen!