The Gift of Contentment

Isn’t it a marvelous gift to be at peace with oneself?

Isn’t it a wonderful blessing to know who you are and to function from that stable place of profound knowledge?

The older I have become, the more I have become acquainted with the real “me” … the “me” that I was meant to be from the beginning of time. 

I think that one of the gifts of the autumn season in life is the gift of contentment.

“The glory of the young is their strength; the honor of the old is their gray hair.” – Proverbs 20:29

Rarely do I wrestle any more with how others perceive me … now I only wrestle with pleasing the Father.

I find little time to criticize others for their life choices  … but there remains in my heart a lingering concern over where they have chosen to spend eternity.

Politics don’t motivate me … success doesn’t call me … the need for a platform is just so “yesterday”.

In this season of my life, I am focused mostly on servanthood … on encouraging others … and on leaving a legacy that matters.  

“Don’t worry about getting old … worry about thinking old.” - Unknown

I have had to surrender so many things during this journey known as “life” … that any type of attachment to prestige, prominence or creature comforts has grown increasingly less magnetic as the years have quickly flown by.

Now … I am content with the wealth that a rich conversation with a treasured friend brings to my life.

Now … I am thrilled with the call to pray for my family and loved ones in a private place where no one sees. 

Now … I am fulfilled by reading a story to a grandchild and by having my grown children call or text me “just because”.

“Her children rise up and bless her.” – Proverbs 31:28

Oh! I would still love to be used mightily by the Lord and make a lasting difference at this moment in history.

But perhaps the difference that I am making is found in depositing a single word of encouragement that will change a family for generations to come.

Perhaps the difference that I have been called to make will be determined by time spent on my knees rather than by jockeying for position.

Maybe … just maybe … I have been created for such a time as this to bring the gift of peace to conversations … to relationships … and to hearts. 

“She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26

I no longer feel the urge to whine when I don’t get my way … I can die to self and celebrate the victories of others.

The ladder to success holds no power for me … the power of my life has been cultivated by the wisdom of Scripture.

“There is a fountain of youth; it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap into this source, you will truly have defeated age.” – Sophia Loren

I no longer must voice every single opinion and feeling that I have for the world to hear … now in my 60’s … I am able to swallow and smile at the same time!

Gossip seems to be such a waste of time in this season in life … what a lie to mistakenly believe that when I put someone else down that I am able to lift myself up! 

How much more significant to say a good word about someone who has not always walked in kindness toward me or toward those I love. 

I know what it is like to be underappreciated as a woman … as a mother … and as a friend. So … now I will shout my praises of others for the world to hear! 

No one under my watch will ever feel underappreciated as long as I am alive!

My wrinkles are my trophies … my stretch marks are my rewards … and my graying hair is my gold medal.

“Wrinkles mean you laughed … grey hair means you card … and scars mean you lived!” – Unknown

Numbers are irrelevant to the woman that I am. Whether it is a number on a scale or the date on my birth certificate … numbers have no power to define me.

I am defined by the people whom I have celebrated … the babies I have rocked … the songs that I have sung … the books that I have read … the beauty that I have created … the sisters who I have encouraged … and by the sunrises that have taken my breath away. 

I am “me” … I like me … and I am content with me.  

Oh … I am very well aware of the fact that I am far from perfect and that the Holy Spirit has His hands full with the woman that I am!

I still need refining … I still need molding … and I still need strengthening.

I need to be more like Jesus and less like me.

But I can humbly declare that I am so much more like Jesus today than I was yesterday … or last year … or 10 years ago.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing. She smiles at the future.” – Proverbs 31:25

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!