BE CONTENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

     My devotion this morning was to be content in whatever the circumstances, from the book of Philippians. As I get older, I've found I am more content with my life than I was when I was younger. I have enjoyed my life, each stage has had it challenges and positives.
     God has truly blessed me. Even though being blessed I used to let myself worry quite a bit. So much so I would have panic attacks, and headaches.
     I know what you are thinking. It is easier to be content when you get older. Life is just slower and easier. That may be the case in some people's lives but for myself, the last few years have been challenging.
     A little more than three years ago I lost my job. I decided I didn't want to go to my next job and sit at the desk and think I wish I had done this or that. I started cleaning, organizing and working on the house. We owned a 3100 square foot house. It was nice and we loved it.
     I started cleaning and putting Quick Shine on the hardwood floors in the living room. I then started to move to the dining room. My husband said, "Don't you think we should wait until we strip the wallpaper off the walls and paint the room before you do the floors."

Such a beautiful shine!

     When Kev came home from work, he asked, "What are you doing?" I told him I was getting everything out of the room so I could work on the walls. We (mostly me, Kev was at work) stripped the wall paper, clean the wall and painted. The room looked great. After the floors were done we decided to make it our office and to add the dining room furniture in the large living room. We had talked about taking the wall out between the kitchen and the living room. So we decided to leave the dining room set up in the living room to see if we liked it.
      We decided to make the old dining room an office. The existing office was moved downstairs and we made two work areas. I needed room to work on the book I had started after losing my job.

Danette hard at work

     Next was the main floor guest room, hall, kitchen... You get the idea. Kev and the guy at the home improvement store got to know each other pretty well.
     All this time I was putting out my resume and praying for a job. I went on some interviews. The interviews seem to go well but no job offers. I took a part time afternoon receptionist position. I loved my job and I was praying and believing that my book would make up the rest of the finances we needed.
     We put our beautiful home up for sale. We found a smaller house closer to the church (Kev's the pastor), and my job. I am working with a team at church to develop the children's programs for Sunday morning and Wednesday night. God gave a full time job in December of 2015.

      We were and are still renovating the smaller home. We moved in January of 2017.
We also had the everyday things. Making sure the larger house was in order to be shown when I left for work in case the realtor called, laundry, dishes, etc. Forgot to mention that I made two 1841 costumes for our church's 175th anniversary. They won prizes at the State Fair which was a positive experience for sure.
   So, I wouldn't say my life is easier than when I was younger. I just think, I've learn to trust God more. I used to give my worries to God and then take them back again. Now I don't take them back so quickly. That's not to say I don't think about all the things facing us.
   I knew the house would sell in God's time. I was hoping God's time would have been much sooner but it wasn't. But it did sell and we love our new home. I believe I will finish my book and it will get published. I believe God will take care of our financial, mental, physical, and spiritual needs. I believe this because it didn't matter how much I worried in the past, God took care of us! Worrying didn't speed up the process. But it just took a lot of the joy out of the waiting time.
    Do I still wonder when and how? Oh yes, but I am content where I am. I choose to look at the positives in my life; my loving husband, my daughter and her husband, my family, my new job, the kids at church, my book, and the plans I have for my new home.

    So, if your life is crazy! If you are worried about what's next. Remember, BE CONTENT IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES! Let yourself enjoy today!

    My daddy told me when Arielle was young, "If I knew my favorite time of life was going to be when you kids were young and life was crazy. I would have let myself enjoy it more."

   That is my wish for you, That you will let yourself enjoy each stage of your life. Look for those positives and be content.

Have a Blessed Day,
Mama D

Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.