Volume 144: Rest in Contentment

This morning, I had the realization I have visited 5 different churches the past 5 Sundays (Grace in Houston, Rock Creek Durham, Grace in Lawrenceville, Epworth, Rock Creek Lula). From no church for a summer season to now all over! I am grateful for the reminder that God is always moving all over, in ways we never know! 

The past two Sundays, the sermon has had a common theme...

One that God is definitely using in my life currently...

CONTENTMENT. 

I always seem to want more...

I am never fully satisfied with what I have...

I seem to always find something to complain about or wish that I had or desire to be different...

I have such fond memories of high school and college... I felt content, exactly where I was. I loved all my coaches and teachers and friends and youth group and wyldlife, etc. I was confident, secure in myself and bold. 

We were all on the same page, in the same stage of life - not married, no kids, just excited to be at the school of our dreams and learning how to live independent from our parents. 

Nowadays, discontentment is something I struggle with more... 

I find myself constantly thinking thoughts about my work, singleness, community, etc. 

After graduating, I was excited to try something new and move to a city I had loved - Greenville, SC and finally become a teacher! My dream since being a kid and playing imaginary teacher every day. 

Yet, it was hard to make friends because Covid hit and teaching was a lot harder than I had expected...

Ok, I'll go work for Camp Ozark and move to Chattanooga!!! Then, I'll be content!!!

Community was also hard to find in Chattanooga... I didn't like working remote...

Ok, I'll move to Houston, Texas where there are more young people and I'll be in the office with everyone!!! Then, I'll be content!!!

Well, for about 3/4 of the off season, the office was just about empty and my friends were on the road recruiting... And the city of Houston was HUGE and I missed nature and being outside...

Ok I'll be done with camp and move back east!!! Then, I'll be content!!!

And here I am, finding myself back in Chattanooga and working remotely for camp!

Funny how God works, huh! 

The grass is not always greener. 

Rather than always looking ahead or searching for the "perfect" calling for my life, may I learn to be CONTENT with where God has me!

Chattanooga is awesome. 
The people. 
The beauty.
My apartment and location. 
Feeling safe. 

OLI is awesome. 
Ministry work. 
Leadership growth. 
Flexible schedule. 
Still connected to Ozark community. 

"The grass is greener where you water it." And this is some great grass to water!!!

This morning, Eric mentioned that "Adam and Eve were in perfection... yet they still faced the temptation of wanting more."

Did God make us discontent from the start of creation?

Well, He made us in His image, created for Heaven, our eternal home. 

We will never be fully content here on earth. 

So may I learn to be GRATEFUL and serve well with what God has put in front of me. 

My flesh is weak! My thoughts often win, but may TRUTH DRIVE MY TRAIN! 

In her weekly email, Annie F Downs gave this tip - to laminate Scripture and hang it in the shower. As someone who likes both Annie and Levi Lusko, I thought surely they would not lead me astray! 

So, since I already have my very own laminator, I tried it this past week - I hung Philippians 4 in the shower and it really is a great tip! I am halfway there of memorizing! 

Do not be anxious about anything...

Whatever is right, pure, noble, true, lovely, admirable... think about such things...

I have learned what it means to be content...

Amen!