Thursday 13 - Contentment

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Esmé’s Mommy here.

I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. Philippians 4:12-13

I’m back. Sort of. I still will probably stress over blogging from time to time, but I have cleared out Google Reader, and we’ll see how we do this time around . . .

So, join me for some hot chocolate and warm banana chocolate cake while I share thirteen things I have learned about contentment during my break.

1. Sometimes I feel annoyed with content people. They could accomplish so much more with a little discontent in their lives, you know?
2. Hot chocolate, while giving a feeling of contentment during the drinking, has a whole lot of calories. Especially combined with banana chocolate cake. Rooibos tea – not so much.
3. Watching a baby wake up in the morning is a great source of contentment. As is cuddling the baby and nuzzling my nose into her fluffy, out-of-control wispy hair.
4. Exercising does NOT give me a feeling of contentment. I’m not into pain and torture. Being done with exercising – that’s the ticket!
5. Driving is an expensive path to contentment, given gas prices these days. Speeding tickets and flat tires add to the cost. But when I’m in stressful situations, a nice long drive with music helps me put things in perspective. For many years my commute to work was at least ½ hour, and driving was my time to unwind. I actually miss the commute.
6. Did you catch music in that last number? Yep, music plays a big role in my attitude towards life. I need to get me an ipod or something with big headphones.
7. Having a clean kitchen and something baking in the oven at the same time is heavenly.
8. As is being organized. My to-do list might be a mile long, but if I feel like everything is on there, I can relax. Here’s to spending 15 minutes a day doing nothing but organizing my to-do list, instead of “just doing it now” and ending up sidetracked to Timbuktu while life is going on and my to-do list is getting hopelessly outdated.
9. Hot showers are great for contentment. “Hot” being the operative word. While in the steam, I can forget about all else except that hot feeling.
10. I love chatting endlessly over some philosophical point, with both parties engaged in the subject but not personally so.
11. There is nothing wrong with burying yourself in the bed covers and hiding from the world for a little while. Try it. You’ll discover the world goes on just fine without you – surprise surprise.
12. It is much easier to write love letters and connect with friends and relish others’ blog posts when you’re not scrambling to come up with the next blog post idea.
13. Waiting on the Lord – that’s the way to get there. When you are in desperate need of time in abundance, the best thing to do is stop and enjoy the moment. It sure is hard sometimes, but it is worth the wait.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

And here’s Miss Esmé, perfectly content on rubber ducky wings, minus the eagle feathers.