Contentment

[Hoovie]

"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"

I think I am learning what it means... Not that I have ever had great trials in my life - I have not, yet I, like many have wished things were different in many ways. For me, it has been various things through the years, and I surmise I am not different than most.

Church, education, occupation, location, family, status, income level... It seems if one is conquered there is always something else. Putting Christ in His rightful place is the simple answer to be sure, yet many of us Christians have struggled with this.

I think I am starting to get a newer and better perspective (Thank You, Lord!) - not to relinquish the pursuit, but to hold fast to a certain level of contentment in the pursuit.

About ten years ago I was privileged to travel to London and work with some sweeps. It was a fantastic experience working in the old homes and visiting with the owners. It did not take me long to get a healthy dose of envy from my host Sweep for the day. He had a Mercedes Benz in the drive and had a very nice home. I wished I was in his shoes. He was a second generation chimney sweep and had done well.

He was kind and accommodating, but like myself, also plagued with discontentment. The weather was a bit dreary and the rain would come and go as it does in that part of the world. It did not take me long to find out he really would rather be living in Spain where his brother lived - No rain there and the "most beautiful place on Earth"!

It never really ends does it? God help us all to be content!

Is the grass REALLY GREENER "over there"?