CHOOSING CONTENTMENT

—for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.–Philippians4:11

This statement from the pen of Paul never ceases to amaze me. I would like to be able to be say the same thing, but I sometimes fail. About the time I think I’ve learned this lesson something happens to show me that I haven’t –I’m still learning!

It thrills and challenges me when I see others who, like Paul, have learned to be content, regardless of the circumstances. Here’s one of my favorite stories:

A 92-year-old petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.  His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.  After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.  As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I(the author) provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.  “I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.  “Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait.”

 

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.  Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged . . . it’s how I arrange my mind.  I already decided to love it.”   It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up.  I have a choice;  I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.  Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away.  Just for this time in my life.

 

So, dear friend, how is it with you? Have you made that choice? Have you learned to be content? Are you in the process of learning this lesson? Or, have you just resigned yourself to failure –discontent, disgruntled, depressed, and disappointed? It’s your choice!