There are two thoughts vying for attention while trying to write this morning. One thought popped into my head when I saw a photo of double rainbow on a lake. It’s so pretty. The group my Sweetie and I worked with required that we go on a prayer day once a month. This one night there were really powerful thunder storms the entire way home. While the storms were raging rainbow after rainbow appeared in the sky. I’ve never seen so many rainbows at one time. What an incredible drive home.
Because of the storm there were a lot of accidents, slowing down traffic. What is normally a sixty minute drive turned into two hours. It turned out that we were one of the accidents, not until we were two blocks from home. Seriously. This one intersection was a four way stop with drivers generally being courteous, stopping completely before heading through the intersection. As I proceeded through the intersection, a taxi driver ignored the stop sign, blew through, and hit our car. Gah!
But that storm, with all it’s power, and all those rainbows!
Philippians 4: 8 – 14
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.
I remember memorizing this when I lived in PA one summer before going to Georgia for a year of service. I remember the teacher for whatever class we were in reminding us of how important it is to consume scripture in such a way that it becomes part of who you are, and you can live it out. I chose this as it spoke deeply to my heart about choosing the good, relying more deeply on God, and being content in whatever moment of life. This is more that being Happy. Contentment is being satisfied with one’s possessions, status, and situation. I love that Paul mentions that he was in distress, he was in need, life wasn’t happy-go-lucky. Contentment is mixed up with gratitude.
This particular quote came up as a friend and I were chatting. I started this conversation with, “ya know, I’d really like a Yes or No”. So we talked about contentment and the desire on my part to learn this and yearning to own it, this level of contentment. Life has seemed so not settled for what seems a long time which has led to some serious dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction often gives information, if only we’ll listen to hear where God is asking rather than listening to take action. Wow that seems a little odd to say and a lot like I’m not making sense. I know from my work that there are many ways to listen, one way is for how we’re going to respond to the conversation as though it’s about us; another way is for what it is that the person we’re speaking with actually needs.
And wow. Uh, I have some work to do. Some quilts to make. And dad…I heard that popping sound.
God bless,
Teri
OH PS!! Beauty Beyond Bones has a great post in Battling Insecurity.
A Quilter's Heart 