My late mother-in-law came to this country as a young toddler, with parents , siblings and a suitcase. She lived her life with a thankful heart, content to share what she has with others in need.,\u2026 her health, her wealth , her wisdom and her cookies! \u201cWhen you have enough, the basics, it is good to be content.,\u201d is the gist of what Mom Froese believed.<\/p>\n
I asked a few other farmers\u00a0 about what they would say about contentment. One fellow had tears well up as he awaits the surgeon\u2019s report. Others just shrugged their shoulders and said \u201cit\u2019s been a tough year\u202650 years of work is now in jeopardy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Circumstances may be critical, yet God is still in control. Is this a key to being content now matter what life crisis tries to crush you ?<\/p>\n
Paul writes to the Philippians about contentment: Wow\u2026what a gift!<\/p>\n This year I\u2019ve decided to be content with my wardrobe and have a \u201cnew clothing\u201d fast. So far the only new purchase is white socks. It forces me to be more creative with my closet .<\/p>\n There might not be lots of gifts\u00a0 this year, or the trip or new clothes. The gifts from family may be letters of love, thankfulness and affirmation. It might be a cup of tea shared in a spirit of friendship and caring with our neighbour.<\/p>\n Contentment to celebrate family milestones in a different way may move Dad to build a fort for the kids , play games, or go riding.\u00a0 Mom might re-arrange the furniture and dig to the back of the attic or closet for long-forgotten treasures that need new light and perspective. Some gifts may be a family heirloom or book that needs to be passed along to the next generation. The new word for this is \u201cre-gifting.\u201d<\/p>\n The kids might want to challenge Grandpa to a game of crokinole or cards.<\/p>\n When did you last sit by your teen at the computer?<\/p>\n \u201cRelationships, not achievements or the acquisition of things, are what matters most in life.\u201d says Rick Warren, author of\u00a0 \u201cPurpose Driven Life\u201d.(Zondervan, 2002)<\/p>\n I agree.<\/p>\n We can be content with what we have and not worry. (Matthew [6:25]<\/span>-35). We can be content because God will never leave us no matter how tough the situation is. (Hebrews 13:5-6). Those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing. (Psalm34:9).<\/p>\n Share memories around a scrapbook, photo album, or family history book.<\/p>\n Tell stories. Build an outdoor bonfire and roast wieners.<\/p>\n Laugh lots. Find a puzzle to work on.<\/p>\n You have many tools and resources in your home to be content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My late mother-in-law came to this country as a young toddler, with parents , siblings and a suitcase. She lived her life with a thankful heart, content to share what she has with others in need.,\u2026 her health, her wealth , her wisdom and her cookies! \u201cWhen you have enough, the basics, it is good…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[358,76],"class_list":["post-4764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-family-milestones","tag-farmers"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u201c\u2026I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what is it 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 everything through him who gives me strength.\u201d Philippians [4:11]<\/span>-13. NIV.<\/p>\n