Contentment

Recently my wife and I went on vacation in the North Carolina mountains. We stayed in a wonderful cabin near the beautiful village of Highlands.  We didn’t do a lot. We took a couple of hikes. Ate some good food. Drove around the area. Mostly we rested. It was a wonderful week of relaxation.

            There was one thing that struck me on the trip, and I thought about it even more when I returned to church the following Wednesday night. My topic for that evening was, “The Ten Commandments for Today.” I walked through each of the commands to speak of its relevance to our time and our lives.

            Well, here is what hit me. One day we drove down to the main drag in Highlands. We were on a quest for gifts for granddaughters.  There were many wonderful shops, and we were successful in our adventure. Then I had apple pie flavored ice cream. Enough said.

            But as I was walking back to my wife’s car, I noticed something. My wife has a very nice, relatively new vehicle. It is a 2023 Buick Enclave, well-equipped.  It was perfect for the  trip.  Lots of room, comfortable, and easy to drive. But looking around that evening I realized that her car was likely the least expensive vehicle parked on the street.  I’m talking about high end automobiles, one after the other. 

            One of the Ten Commandments simply says, “Do not covet…” To covet is to long for something that belongs to another. It leads to theft, to envy, and to discontent.  I had to stop that evening and take stock of my life.  The simple truth is that I am blessed.  Contentment with what you have, and gratitude for what you have been given are of such great importance. 

            Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I pray that you will find contentment and joy in the gifts of God. Be grateful. He is good.