contentment

I Am Not Magnificent

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I am not magnificent. I am not perfect. I am only a speck of sand in the sea of life. I am but dust in the wind. I am a work in progress. I am small in a vast domain. I am insignificant in the vast universe. I am nothing on my own. I am but one of many made in the image of God.

I exist to be in fellowship with the One who created me. I exist to serve him and him alone. My identity is found in Christ alone. There is but one God. I am not God.

The God who created the earth created mankind to love and serve him. To be in fellowship with him. To know him. To honor him. To obey him. To bow to his authority.

I am loved. I am known. I am named. I am forgiven. Loved by my divine Creator. He knew me before I was born. When he created me in my mother’s womb, he planned for my existence. Without him, I would be nothing. With him, I am redeemed.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalms 139:15-16

King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that life is meaningless. He was the wisest man on earth, and he had amassed a fortune. He had everything a man desired, and he still sought happiness and fulfillment. He says the key to a happy life is to find fulfillment in hard work and the enjoyment of food and drink. He knew that in spite of all his wisdom, he would end up in the grave just the same as the world’s worst fool would. He was just a man, an insignificant speck in the history of the world. He knew he was not magnificent.

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. Ecclesiastes 3:12

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

Namaan was the captain of the king’s army. He was a strong and capable leader and had led his army to great success on the battlefield. He made the king of his country a proud man. But Namaan had contracted the deadly disease of leprosy. Anyone who had leprosy became an outcast in society. They were forced to live outside the city limits. And Namaan was a proud wealthy man. He had also acquired a slave girl when his army had raided Israel.

This servant girl knew the God of the Israelites, and she knew a prophet who could perform miracles. She suggested to Namaan’s wife that he visit the prophet to be healed. Namaan found his way to the home of the prophet Elisha and asked to be healed, but Elisha didn’t even meet him at the door. Instead, he sent his servant to give the message to go dip in the Jordan river seven times. Then Namaan would be healed.

Namaan was insulted. It was humiliating to the proud man who was accustomed to being honored by others. Was he not good enough to be given a private audience with the prophet? And why should he even wade his toe in the waters of Israel, let alone dip his entire body in it seven times? Wouldn’t any other river be just as healing? This was a further attempt to humiliate the proud captain of the army. In a bid to cool Namaan’s anger, his officers began to reason with him. Finally, they made their way to the river where he dipped seven times. After exiting the water on the seventh dip, his skin was clear. He had been healed of leprosy.

You can read the story of Namaan in 2 Kings 5:1-19.

Namaan had many accomplishments under his belt. He had won many wars for his king and country. He was a mighty man of valor. He had wealth and favor. He had servants in his household. Due to his successes in battle, his name was common on the streets. He was a known man by the little people. And he thought himself so important that the prophet Elisha should attend to him in person. He thought himself too important to dip in a river in a foreign country.

Namaan was not magnificent. His background and social status did not make him any more favorable to God than anyone else’s status. He was an ordinary man who had been given favor by God to win the battles his country faced. But he needed God’s help to fight the physical battle of his life. He couldn’t defeat leprosy on his own.

There is no one who has ever lived or will ever live who is too important to bow before God Almighty, the Judge of all mankind. The Bible tells us that everyone will one day bow down to Him. Regardless of our station in life, we are not magnificent. We can’t create the God we want. He created us.

Unexpected Interruptions

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

His day didn’t go as planned. What was meant to be a quick lunch turned into an afternoon of frenzy. He always leaves the office during lunchtime so he can reset his mind and renew his energy. And before going back into the office, he’ll check his text and voice messages. This day turned into a chaos of events. While turning onto the busy street, an oncoming car traveling at top speed hit him. Front and center. His car spun in a full circle ending back in the direction he was headed. Air bags deployed. Glasses flew off his face. He was in a daze, to say the least. Fortunately, he suffered no physical injuries.

This man’s car would never start again, but the other driver drove off undetected to most. However, one eyewitness saw the driver escape and reported it. Police officers arrived. Questions were asked. Facts were gathered. Stories of the event were shared. Broken glass and debris were swept off the street. The car was towed. A ticket was written. A rental car was acquired.

He called his wife and shared the bad news. She arrived to take him home. He asked if she had learned mercy from the incident. When she said yes, she asked what he had learned. Humility. He said.

There was no need for harsh words or reprimands. There is a time to be silent and merciful in a difficult situation. When someone is shaken up and remorseful all at the same time, they don’t need to hear belittling words. Kind words and reassurance go a long way to heal a troubled heart.

Be still, and know that I am God! Psalms 46:10

In the midst of the life’s turmoil, we can learn contentment. Momentary peace comes from having a working car or an accident-free record. Sustaining peace comes from knowing God. Life will throw us curveballs when we least expect them. And we must be able to punt and do the next right thing. Whatever it looks like, life will continue on. Oh sure. A working, drivable car is a very good thing. And an accident-free driving record keeps the insurance rates lower. What we call necessities of life may only be things we should strive for and not demand. There are things we shouldn’t take for granted. We seem to miss them only when we need them and don’t have them.

The car may be totaled. The body may be shaken and the ego bruised. The soul can still be at peace through every circumstance. We know that the tests of life come to build our faith. It may not seem that a minor traffic accident could be a faith builder, but knowing that God’s hand of protection was surrounding the scene is a great comfort. Knowing that no one was injured brings peace of mind. Knowing that another car can be found brings stability. Hindsight is sometimes 20/20.

Life is full of chaos, sometimes caused by oneself and at other times caused by others. Life is basically out of our control. The events of daily life can be overwhelming, but we can learn resilience through a consistent walk with God. Because when circumstances in life are challenging, God is faithful. God makes his presence and power known when we stop and take a moment to dwell on his goodness. Even in the midst of unexpected, awful events, God is still good.

When the Forsythia Blooms

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It’s March, and I see the yellow blooms of the forsythia in my yard. But it’s not the first time this year that I’ve seen this phenomenon. The forsythia bush started waving yellow during a warm spell in January. The bush must have become confused by the sudden turn of weather in a month that is typically frozen and snowy. As the temps cooled down again, the forsythia stalled in its attempts to force its bright color upon us. But now. Now that it’s March and warm temperatures are again teasing us, the forsythia is once again attempting to bloom.

It’s pretty safe to assume that its efforts this time will be successful, since the days of the year are moving along. Is it safe to say that spring is just around the corner? I think so. But lest we be fooled into thinking that warm temperatures are here to stay, the weather has once again turned from warm to crispy cold. It’s a game that the seasons play on even the most weathered individuals. Each year, we face the same teasing of cold to warm and then back again to cold. Until one day, the cold is gone.

I find that life is the same as the forsythia bush. We see the much anticipated days of goodness ahead and try to rush headlong into them before it’s time. We’ve just survived our latest hurdle, and now another is on the horizon. The weather of life snaps, and we find ourselves in the midst of a heavy, burdensome load of trouble. We wonder if life will ever be good again. And so we wait. And then one day, we see the first sign of our burden easing and we breathe a little easier. Will it last? We’re not sure. But our hope is rising. And then one day, we find the burdensome problem has been resolved and we’re free to be carefree for a time.

Oh. If only life was simple.

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalms 84:11

In the ninth chapter of Daniel, Daniel writes of a glimpse of hope for his people, the nation of Israel. He apparently took advantage of the great libraries and learning centers of Babylon and read many books. After all, he had been living there since he was a teenager. Oh. It wasn’t his idea to move many miles from his home in Jerusalem, but he had been captured and taken prisoner by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. And Daniel had been forced to work in Nebuchadnezzar’s royal palace after he underwent an intense three-year re-education program.

For the rest of his life, Daniel worked in the royal palace of Babylon. He served many kings, as they would come and go. At times, he was placed in very powerful positions if he was favored and respected by the king. Some of the kings had a very high regard for Daniel’s God-given wisdom and intuition and trusted his advice. He would interpret their dreams and then give all the credit to God, for it was God who had given him the ability to understand and interpret dreams. However, other kings demoted him to lower positions and didn’t even know his name or past accomplishments. There were times in his service to the kings that his life was threatened. The possibility of bodily harm was a natural fear to have while serving people in high places. One wrong decision or word could have your life coming to a dramatic end. As Daniel served the kings, God watched over his life and once spared him from an untimely death when thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel didn’t waver in his faith and devotion to God. He honored his commitment to God and prayed faithfully each day.

But back to the ninth chapter of Daniel. He had somehow received a copy of Jeremiah’s prophetic letter. As he read it, he realized that God had sentenced his people to seventy years of exile in Babylon. Daniel was living this prophecy in real time. And he realized that the seventy years were soon coming to an end. Instead of being ecstatic about a possible return to his homeland, he fell on his knees and repented of his and his nation’s sins. He cried out to God to forgive the nation of Israel for defying God and turning their backs on him. As he read Jeremiah’s letter, he saw how God had punished them for their belligerent actions against an almighty God who had given their nation a favored status above all other nations. And they had rejected God’s favor. Daniel cried out in horror that his nation had been so blind and unrepentant.

Daniel realized that he was receiving the punishment due his forefathers for their sins of disobedience. His generation was the one to receive the just penalty of a ruined nation and exile to a hostile, foreign land. Oh. Daniel didn’t beg God to let him return to Jerusalem to live out his final years. No. He never said those words. He asked for forgiveness and mercy instead.

We may not understand why the forsythia gets confused when the weather wreaks havoc on its blooming cycle. But we do understand that eventually the forsythia will bloom once the conditions of spring are met. And then its beauty will shine forth. Daniel, too, realized that his nation’s punishment would soon end and his people could return to their homeland. Hope was on the horizon.

When he was led as a prisoner to Babylon, Daniel didn’t know he would live to be an old man and die there.  He didn’t know that he would never return home to see Jerusalem again. He didn’t know the obstacles he would face. But he had a strong faith in God. He knew that his God would not fail him. And he knew that at the right time and in the right condition, God would strengthen and encourage him when all else seemed lost. Daniel never wavered in his faith. His faith only grew stronger as time passed. Soon, he was an old man and had lived his entire adult life as a servant of kings in a royal palace that rebelled against God.

Daniel didn’t realize that as he was serving in this foreign land, God was also judging the evil leaders of his day. As part of God’s plan, Babylon too would be taken captive and be forced to bow to foreign kings. And through the downfall of Babylon, Daniel stood strong in his faith in God. As the new rulers took their place on Babylon’s throne, once again Daniel was placed in a position of authority serving another ungodly king. His faithfulness to God made him a highly sought after ally for a king needing self-assurance and stability. Even at the age of eighty, Daniel was still a trusted leader.

I’ve read that when people are hurting, the entire world looks bleak. We see no way out of our situation and feel like we’ll be stuck in this never ending cycle of pain. We don’t know when the waves of uncertainty and trouble will enter our lives, and we don’t know how long they’ll last. But we can live in peace and contentment when we are serving God.

We never question if the forsythia will bloom each spring. Our only question is when it will bloom. Because we know it will. Perhaps it’s time for us to use the same logic when we face our own devastations. We shouldn’t ask if life will ever be good again. We should ask how we can accept our situation even when it’s not good. We must hold onto the knowledge that God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. Regardless of the unfortunate events we have faced or will face in the future, we can rest assured that God is in control. And God always wins. Our hope must be in God alone.

On Being Thankful

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The signs are everywhere. And they’ve been out for awhile now. Turkeys are available. Cranberries are in stores. Stuffing packets are on display. Pumpkin pies are on the menu. It’s Thanksgiving season. Families are making plans for the big day. So we must start being thankful for the year we’ve survived. Isn’t that what we’re being told? Eat these specific foods on the last Thursday of November and be thankful for it.

Be thankful for your family. Be thankful for your job. Be thankful for your health. Be thankful for your warm home. Be thankful for the food on your table. Be thankful for your freedom. Just be thankful.

Do we have to be reminded that we should be thankful? How do we prepare for thankfulness? What if we’ve had a rotten year? Should we still be thankful? People have lost their jobs. Many others have lost loved ones. Still others have received a devastating diagnosis or other bad news. Should they be thankful? Some people are working in stressful jobs. Others are working in jobs they hate. Some are just bored with their jobs. And many just want a job. Should they be thankful for that?

What if we just don’t feel like being thankful?

There are wars going on in different parts of the world. And our country seems determined to be involved. Inflation has been soaring for the last few years. Unemployment is making an impact on people’s lives. People complain about having to work in the office instead of remaining remote. We’re being told we’ll own nothing and be happy. Should we be thankful for that?

But now that we’ve covered the negativity, let’s reverse the conversation and look at what we do have to be thankful for.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anyone reading this woke up this morning. You’re still alive. God knows the number of your days, and your number hasn’t been called yet. You still have work to accomplish on this earth. And even if you’ve received an unnerving diagnosis or had a recent health scare, the blood is still pumping in your veins. Even if your job is in a precarious spot, you still have a job.

We celebrated the changing of the seasons. The year started with winter and moved to spring. There we saw the trees bud and flowers bloom. We planted gardens and watched the vegetables grow. We mowed the lawn. We heard the thunderstorms, felt the raindrops and saw rainbows. As summer neared its end, the leaves began to turn to beautiful golds and reds. The leaves are still dropping as cooler temperatures make their way into our days. The days of sunlight are shorter, but they’re setting the stage for the cold and snowy winter that’s right around the corner.

We have to remember that the sun rose and set every single day. And it will continue to do so. The seasons will once again change. We’ll adjust to the temperatures and conditions this winter brings. We’ll slow down and drive carefully. We’ll stay indoors if weather patterns are ferocious. And we’ll survive it. Most of us, anyway.

We’ll begin our Christmas shopping and buy way more than is necessary. We’ll squeeze in as many of the holiday dinners and celebrations that our calendar allows. We’ll complain about all the sweets that we’ll eat and still eat them, anyway. We’ll hold family members close as we remember those no longer with us. We’ll plan for future holidays together. And life will go on.

Thankfulness is an attitude of the heart. We have a choice. To be thankful or not to be thankful. Jesus told us that we would have hard times in this world. If the apostle Paul learned to be content in any and every situation, can’t we? Are we content with what we have, or do we only focus on what we don’t have? Thankfulness is a choice. Contentment is a choice.

Too often, the only things we’re thankful for are tangibles. Things we can touch and taste and feel. We focus only on our feelings and experiences. Maybe it’s time to not only consider the creation, but the Creator. The One who set the moon and stars in place also set eternity in the hearts of all mankind. We are aware that there is something more than this earthly life. Something much more. And we have our Heavenly Father to thank for that. Just as the writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything, God has appointed each season of our lives. Even if that season is difficult and demanding, we can be thankful for the peace that God gives.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

We have much to be thankful for today. Let’s celebrate the goodness of God.

Massage Therapy

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I am lying face down on the table with a sheet over me.  I know my shoulders are tight and will need the strength of his hands to loosen the muscles.  I also know that he’s loosened them in the past, so I have complete faith that this massage will be no different.  I haven’t seen him in a couple of months, due to no fault of my own.  He has a habit of calling in sick on Mondays.  And it always seems to be the Monday I am scheduled to meet with him. I try not to schedule these appointments on Mondays, but it can’t always be helped.

Oh.  I’ve broken up with him a couple of times over the years.  But I keep running back to him, because I get the desired results from his touch.  My tightened muscles loosen from the bruising manipulation of his fingers.  Sure.  Pain is sometimes involved.  I’m ok with that.  If the deep tissue massage works out all the tightness and eases the lack of movement in my shoulders and neck, then yes, I’m ok with a little pain. 

As he works on my legs and thighs, he is amazed that I can’t feel any pain.  He can tell that the work he is doing is showing results in my loosened muscles and unstuck fascia.  But I can’t always tell a difference.  Sure.  I sometimes hear a popping sound.  And other times I sense a calming feeling in a once tight muscle.  But as he’s working on each area, he can feel the difference even if I can’t.

I schedule time with this man each month. Ninety minutes per month. That’s all the time I’m allotted. By the end of the month, I’m beginning to feel the strain and tightness in my muscles. I know the time is drawing near for my next meeting. I always look forward to these times. That’s the reason I get frustrated when he suddenly cancels the appointment.

Oh. I’m not impressed with the man personally. He isn’t handsome, but he doesn’t have to be. He plays music of his liking. And it’s always the same music every month. I don’t even like the music, and I recognize the songs each time I hear them. It isn’t meditative, soothing instrumental music that you would associate with a massage. It’s annoying music. He also talks during our time together. I don’t need conversation when I’m trying to relax.

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 6:9

Another thing. Almost every time I visit him, the person at the front desk dares to ask me the same question. Are you sixty-five? NO. I’m not. Apparently, I look that age, or people don’t understand that you don’t have to be at that age to have gray hair and saggy skin. They don’t need to know how close I’m getting to it, but please. Show some respect. And put a tracker into your scheduling system that automatically gives a discount once a person qualifies for it.

But it’s the touch of his strong hands that bring me back to him. And there are times that he extends our time together. Thirty extra minutes of massage? Count me in. Especially since I’ve already paid.

Oh. I was unfaithful last month. I met with someone new. I’ve been told by those close to me that he isn’t trustworthy, and I should find someone who is more reliable. But the new one I visited didn’t quite fit what I’m looking for. So I’ve crossed her off my list. I may keep searching for a backup, but I imagine it would be practically impossible to find anyone better than this man.

I know. This is a first world problem, and it isn’t even really a problem. I don’t live a spoiled life. I don’t live in luxury. I don’t buy designer clothes or possessions. I live a pretty simple life. I live a good life. But yet. I find things to complain about.

There are issues I could focus on and make myself sick with worry. I’ve had trouble in my life. But for this moment, I’m thankful for my imperfect but good life. Things could be better, but they could always be worse. After all, as it says in Ecclesiastes, everything is meaningless.

I think it’s time to count my blessings rather than focus on the petty annoyances that really don’t matter. Life is too good to dwell on unnecessary, trivial matters. It may not always be this way, so I think I’ll focus on the good and be grateful for what God has given me.

A Better Life

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I heard him say that those who follow Jesus have a better life. I had to stop and think about it for a minute. Is it true? Is that biblical? Do all believers have a better life? What makes life better for believers? Why would their life be better than those who don’t believe? And what determines if life is better or worse? What standard are we measuring against?

Let’s think about this.

Some say that life is as good as we make it. Since we aren’t in total control of everything, how do we know we can make our lives better? And what is the definition of a better life? Wouldn’t that be determined by your goals and dreams and talents and skills and finances? There are many factors that can make life good. And there are just as many factors that can skew every plan you make.

I’ve heard parents say that they want their kids to have a better life than they had. But from what I gather, they’re talking about careers and finances. They don’t mention wanting the next generation to have a better life because they’re followers of Christ.

The Bible even tells us that we can plan our lives, but our plans may fall short. Because ultimately, God is in control.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

According to Proverbs 19:21, the Lord’s purpose will take priority over anything we plan for our lives. God’s purpose will prevail, even when we have our lives planned out. We aren’t in control. So, does that make life better?

I think of the family who recently lost their unborn child. Does life feel better for them right now? And there’s the one who has received a diagnosis they never expected. Does life feel better for them? What about those who have recently lost their job? How good does life feel right about now?

Over sixty self-exiled Chinese Christians have been trying to find a safe haven to call home for several years. They fled from China to Hong Kong over three years ago seeking refuge, because they were experiencing threats and interrogations by the Chinese police. Later they moved to Thailand, where they were seeking refugee status from the United Nations, but they were detained by the Thai immigration authorities. Fearing they would be returned to China to face prison, torture or even death, they sought a new refuge. They are now safely in the United States, thanks to organizations that fight for the safety of persecuted Chinese Christians. I wonder if these persecuted believers feel that their life is better because of all the persecution and displacement they have experienced. Is life better for them now that they’ve been removed from any present danger?

What is the answer to a better life?

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17‭-‬18

Paul writes about contentment in the New Testament. Can I be content in any situation I find myself in? Do my circumstances determine my happiness? What about joy? Because joy is different from happiness. Happiness is an external feeling, while joy is internal. Happiness is fleeting, because moods can change on a dime. But joy is an inward peace and contentment in spite of the circumstances.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

We can get too caught up on our day to day living. We have busy lives. There’s work and family obligations. School and sports events. Community activities. Church activities. All are good, but they can serve as distractions. We get caught up in living for the moment. We think only of what this life on earth has to offer us. And when life is good, we want it to continue indefinitely. How often do we stop to think that this life, this world is not our final home. We must live our lives here on earth as a training ground for eternity. Because eternity will never end. Never. Once we’re in our eternal home, we’re there. So now, while it is still today, we have to consider that our life on this earth is better when we are a follower of Christ. It’s better because we have peace knowing that this life is not the final life for us. We have eternal life with God our Heavenly Father waiting for us. The knowing of what lies ahead makes life palatable even when circumstances are pointing otherwise. Our identity must be in Christ alone. Because when we do that, we can set aside the momentary troubles that cause us to struggle. We must continue obeying and honoring God, regardless of the cost. That is the good life. Even during difficult times, God is good all the time.

We find contentment in Christ alone. That is the answer to living a better life. Oh. We hear the news of chaos in this world. We see the destruction of morality and family values. We know life will never be innocent and pure. Satan’s reach continues to expand, and he’s still on the warpath for even more power. But for those who follow God’s commands and live to please him, there is peace that passes understanding. That is a better life. We don’t have to live in fear of the unknown. We don’t have to worry and stew about uncertainty in this life. God is on the throne. And he’s allowing events to take place that alarm us. But when we know what he has planned for his children in eternity, contentment abides. We don’t have to fear tomorrow. God ordains all our steps.

Sure. It’s easy to say we don’t have to fear tomorrow. We must dig deep into God’s word and hold onto his powerful love and goodness. And we must pray for peace. We must pray for those who are working against God’s design and that they will turn toward God. We must pray that God will lead us not into temptation but will deliver us from evil.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 3:1‭-‬4

On the Hunt

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

She poured the contents of the brownie mix into the bowl. As she stirred the ingredients, she could imagine the joy she would feel as she ate her favorite dessert. Oh. It looked so good. And the scent wafting from the oven was heavenly. She dreamt of that first bite. Her teeth would sink into the soft brownie and her taste buds would erupt with satisfaction. She had made sure to use a smaller pan so the brownies would be thick. It didn’t matter that a smaller pan made fewer brownies. What mattered was the satisfaction they brought when savoring each bite. So for the moment, thin brownies in a larger pan were no longer in vogue in her kitchen. And she was hoping the rest of the household would turn their backs on this batch of brownies. If only. Her name was written all over them.

So she ate the brownies. Oh. She’s never one to cut a dessert into small pieces. Big pieces are magical. In her mind. Small pieces require more to be eaten. And if she could say she only had two brownies, who cares if that really meant she ate the entire row. Who’s counting anyway? And does it really matter? If she’s happy, then life is good. At least, that’s what she tells herself.

Once the plate of brownies has been eaten, then what’s next? Another batch? Will happiness remain if she continues to eat brownie after brownie? Is that what brings true fulfillment? Is that what life is all about? Brownie happiness? Or is it really gluttony?

Perhaps for you it isn’t an endless supply of brownies that satisfies. It could be swiping the credit card for new purchases. Whether the item is needed or not, just the zip of the card brings a flutter of happiness in that moment in time. Perhaps it’s the scratching of the penny on the lottery ticket. Scratch after scratch. How many lottery tickets are enough? Or it could be the downing of that drink each night. Glass after glass of the intoxicating liquid soothes the worries of the day. But does it? Tomorrow will come fresh with a splitting headache. Then where is the happiness from last night? Oh. It could be the viewing of those pornographic movies or erotic photos that stir some deep longing within. But is it truly satisfying? When does lust ever end for you?

It seems that the search for happiness is never quite fulfilled. Just one more brownie. One more drink. One more lottery ticket. One more exotic vacation. One more pair of shoes. But happiness is so fleeting. One day we’re happy. The next day we’re searching again. Does it ever end?

Sometimes too much of a good thing is just that. Too much. And too much of a bad thing is just that. It’s bad.

This past Thursday, we stuffed ourselves with a turkey feast and called ourselves thankful. Now we rush onto our Christmas shopping in order to make others happy. No longer do we differentiate between need and want. We just want our loved ones to be happy. So we buy their happiness in the name of Christ’s birth. Somehow it doesn’t translate. We’ve gotten our priorities so misplaced that we don’t know how to search for the true meaning of life. Yet we call ourselves blessed.

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

God has planted eternity in each of our hearts, and we’re all searching for it. Oh. The Thanksgiving feast was a momentary pleasure. The Christmas indulgence will soon be forgotten. We’re searching for something far more eternal than what money can buy. We just don’t recognize it. We’re looking in all the wrong places. We’re wasting our time and we won’t admit it. We become quickly dissatisfied with the things we thought would make us happy. But we find out that those things, too, are meaningless.

And yet. God has made everything beautiful for its own time. There is a time for beauty. And joy. And fulfillment. There is a time where our deepest longings will be satisfied.

We don’t realize that what we’re really looking for has always been right in front of us. Oh. Sometimes it’s veiled. At times, it’s misrepresented. And at other times, it’s simply ignored. In our searching for fulfillment, we must search deep within. We must realize that our longings don’t come about because of boredom or abuse. They come because we’re made for fellowship with our heavenly Father. And those longings can be so deeply satisfied if we allow ourselves to fall in love with our Creator. The Maker of our souls.

These longings that will never be satisfied this side of heaven can lead us down a dreadful path. We search in all the wrong places. And leave less fulfilled than when we started. It sometimes seems a never ending search. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can find fulfillment in God alone. But we must be willing to pay the price of giving up first place in our lives to everything else. Only then will we be content.

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.

C.S. Lewis

Satisfaction Guaranteed

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes I feel unfulfilled. I think I need something new and exciting in my life.  I feel like something is missing, and I search for that missing piece. So when that happens, I go on a hunt. I try to find something to fill that void. So I take a walk through my house to see what can make me happy. But is happiness what I’m looking for?

As I walk through each room of my house, I check to see what I can change that might make me feel fulfilled. Something that might change my mood. Something that will give me a sense of satisfaction. Something that will refresh my spirit.

I look at the kitchen. Do I need to rearrange the items on the open shelves? Would colorful dishes look better than all white plates? Would a new plant look nice on the island? Are the cupboards filled with enough food? And if I look in the freezer, I’ll find the new stash of chocolate I just bought. Can’t run out of that. And when I bite into a piece of the chocolate, do I stop to ask myself how happy it makes me? Is one piece ever enough?

I look over at the living room. How does it look? I check to see if the decor is starting to look dated. Is the paint color fresh? Do the plants look healthy? Is the rug faded? Maybe I need to redecorate with new pillows. I just bought a beautiful new wall hanging. Maybe that will be enough change for awhile.

I check out the dining room. The runner on the table is several years old. Perhaps a new one is in order. The tray in the center of the table is one of my favorite pieces. But maybe it’s time to freshen up the look.

Then I walk into my closet. And what do I see? A rack of clothes. I wonder how often I wear each item. Then I remember that these are just the clothes for this season. If I walk into another room, I’ll find another closet full of clothes for the next season. And shoes? There are more than I need. That’s for sure. And how many do I wear on a regular basis? That’s a question I don’t even want to answer. Oh. I just bagged up a trashbag full of scarves and sweaters to donate. But I wonder how many more items from the closet I should also donate.

I open the door to the garage, and I examine my car. I know it’s not the latest model. It’s eight years old. It’s not as new as other cars I see. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you would find in the latest models. It isn’t a luxury brand. Never mind that it’s paid for. It hasn’t been high maintenance, except for the expensive tires. I’m not embarrassed to be seen in it. Does it impress others when they see me drive up in it? Does it matter?

I walk outside to look at my flowerbeds. I see a lot of shady areas, but there’s also a little space for sun. I wonder if I can find room for a couple more flowerbeds. I envision lots of blooming flowers, but I realize I must be realistic about what will attract deer and what will repel them. I also must be realistic about how much work it will take to keep the flowerbeds looking nice. Can I get enough flowers in the little space I have? Or will it be too much work?

I log onto my bank account. I check the balance of all my accounts. Is the market up today or is it down? Is my money safe? Am I financially secure? Am I prepared for retirement? Can I pay my bills? What will it take to satisfy me? Am I looking for meaning in all the wrong places?

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. Psalms 63:5

Feasts are known to be satisfying. But that satisfaction doesn’t last. It leaves a longing for more. The thing about the feast. It’s not meant to be a last meal, but perhaps a celebration. It is not meant to fulfill every last longing that someone has. It is a moment in time that will last in memories for a lifetime. But it doesn’t bring lasting fulfillment.

Then it dawns on me that I’m looking in the wrong place. Food and clothes and cars and flowers and money are all good things. I don’t need luxury. I don’t need fortunes. I don’t need fame. They don’t provide lasting peace and fulfillment. But what I do have is peace. Peace of mind. I have a calm assurance that all is well with my soul. I have deep abiding peace.

I know that my relationship with God is the most important part of my life. But I sometimes get sidetracked by other things. I realize the the peace I have because of God’s forgiveness is the calming I need in my life. I realize that as I faithfully read and study God’s Word, I have a greater knowledge and wisdom for making life decisions. I don’t need to search for a quick fix to boredom and discontentment, because I am content in the knowledge that I am deeply loved by a God who knows my name. He fights for me. He died for my sins. He is my Savior. The joy of the Lord is my strength.

The world may try to satisfy that longing in your soul. You may search the wide world over but you’ll be just as before. You’ll never find true satisfaction until you’ve found the Lord, for only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Yes, only He can change your heart and make you whole. He’ll give you peace you never knew, sweet joy and love and heaven, too. For only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

If you could have the fame and fortune, all the wealth you could attain. Yet, you have not Christ within, your living here would be in vain. There’ll come a time when death will find you, riches cannot help you then. So, come to Jesus, only He can satisfy.

Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Yes, only He can change your heart and make you whole. He’ll give you peace you never knew, sweet joy and love and heaven, too. For only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Yes, only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Lanny Wolfe

Greener Grass

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I see my neighbor two doors down. He’s working in his backyard every day. Sometimes all day, but mostly in the afternoon. He’s been furloughed, so now is the perfect time for him to lay mulch, plant new bushes, clean up the flowerbeds. So he is. I get it. He has the time, and he’s taking advantage of his free hours.

I, on the other hand, am working full time. From home, of course. My employer has taken the opportunity to make sure all their workers are busy. Very busy. They don’t trust that we’re really working while we’re working from home. There’s no extension of grace to lessen the workload. Even when our clients are postponing the work we do for them, the snap of the taskmaster’s whip is always heard.

Oh. I don’t mean to whine or complain. I am truly thankful to have a job. I’m glad I’m working and and getting my full paycheck. But when I look out the kitchen window and see my neighbor, I sigh with jealousy. I, too, want to be outdoors working in my flowerbeds. I want to pull weeds and drag out my tomato cages. I want to trim the lavender plant.

All my time is spent working. All my neighbor’s time is spent wanting to get back to work. Are we either one content? Are we comfortable with our circumstances? Or does the grass look greener on the other side for each of us?

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalms 119:37

As I think about this, I feel I must berate myself. I have much to be thankful for. I’ve been unemployed three times, so I know the feeling of uncertainty. I know the fears that I’ve lived my best life. I know the concern that perhaps I’ll never find another job. So, why do I fret when I still have a full time job with a decent salary? What else do I want?

But then I wonder. If I wasn’t working. If I had been furloughed from my job, would I actually go outside and work in my flowerbeds? Would I dare to shop for flowers that I long to plant? Or would I just curl up and read a good book? Do I just want what I don’t have because it isn’t mine to have right now?

Is it safe to say that most of us are never content with where we are in life? That we always want what we don’t have? That we dream of those things that are just outside our reach? And when we get there. To that moment we dreamed of. Is it enough? Are we happy then?

Is this a time to be content or to dream of the future?

When faced with slow progress and seemingly endless delays, You enfold me in your patient Heart.
 
Let me recognize your perfect timing in all things, 
the fullness of your providence.
 
May I be so strong in your Spirit 
that all I do is inspired by you.
 
For you are loving, kind, and gentle,
in you are all the blessings.
 
Let me not be deaf to your voice, 
nor suffer the pain of a rebellious soul.
 
Gentle me, O Loving Guide, 
that I may learn the wisdom of purity, patience and peace.

Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying