Life can be a waiting game in many ways. When you are a kid, you can't wait to be one year older so you can do this or do that. As a tween, you are anxious to grow into that mature age of 16 and get your license. Then, you can't wait to go off to college and set all your own rules and have freedom. At some point the newness wears away and you begin longing for a career or a mate to share adventures and experiences with throughout the years. Eventually, you want to start a family. And somewhere along the way, you realize how much you should have relished that time as a five year old when the worst thing that could happen in a day was also something you likely wouldn't remember the following week. And no life altering decisions were waiting for your yay or nay.
Why is it so difficult to find contentment in my current stage of life? This is a question that has kept me up at night often throughout the years. I think it's because being content isn't always easy especially in our comparison heavy culture. It takes dedication to live in the moment and enjoy each day for all it brings. At least, that's how I often feel. Regardless of how I envision or plan or anticipate life will go...there are always twists and turns that take that preparation and throw it right out the window. I'm learning that my methods alone are faulty.
I have found that I need to rely on God fully in order to feel that sense of contentment - and ultimately, happiness. One way to do that is to trust that He knows best for me. He opens windows when He closes doors. He has a plan for my life. And it's a great one. Better than any I could dream up on my own. But the first step is mine. I have to commit to wanting that life even if it's not what I had in mind. Or more importantly, in line with the time frame I had in mind. He knows. And He will provide. He simply asks that I be willing. Being content filters directly from giving up control. From ceasing to prepare for the unknown.
Andrea :)
*Post inspired by the weekly prompt found on The Figment.
This is so beautiful, friend. And I can absolutely relate to the struggle of being content in the "now." It's very hard for me. But I like how mindful you are about it and about preparing for the unknown. So glad the prompt inspired you! xo
ReplyDeleteSo "funny" story, last year I was having trouble deciding on a word to focus on for the year and I kept praying and praying and I just couldn't shake the word contentment, and so I was like fine I"ll make that my word, and so once I had to focus on that word an d challenged myself to daily find contentment in my life whether is was big or little I found myself really feeling content with life. It's amazing what we can do when we challenge ourselves to things such as this.
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