A Journey to Contentment

Can we have contentment without gratitude? Can we be satisfied without thanksgiving?

These questions run through my mind time and again.

After years of knowing discontent, I think the answer is no. For in the nearly two years since I began counting the gifts and giving thanks to the Giver, my contentment has grown immensely.

Gone are the days when I thought a longing must be fulfilled for me to be satisfied, to be happy. Now fulfilled longings are simply gifts to be counted, and enjoyed all the more because they overflow my cup rather than be required to fill it.

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34:1

I will praise Him for the many gifts He gives. #1167 – 1185

• first day of school pics (and the annual first day of school home video, too!)
• sending my son off to high school
• the joy of having my husband work at the same school

 

• watching my son grow into a godly young man
• him eating us out of house and home 😉
• adding hundreds of dollars to our monthly grocery bill just to keep his teenage metabolism, including running over 30 miles every week, fed

• sending my girl off to seventh grade

• sharing our day with one another as we get ready for bed
• her openness to share every sorrow, every struggle, and every joy with me

• early to bed, early to rise
• regaining my solitude
• gradually catching up on my daily bible reading

• chilly weather teasing us; warm blanket and warm pup on my lap (via Instagram)

• chicken noodle soup (the best ever!)
• warm, summery weather returning (summer isn’t quite over yet)

• time for reading a book
• getting stopped by a train (first time in years!); being the first car behind the gate and my camera in the car

In hope,
Shelli