Have you ever come across the same message or idea over and over in a short period of time? Eventually, you realize that maybe somebody is trying to tell you something. I've had that happen this week.
Some of you may know that I am in the last weeks of pregnancy. In this last month, when I had planned on being productive and finishing my preparations for my new little one, everything seems to have been conspiring against the idea.
The first thing to be delayed was the painting of the nursery. My mother, whom I love dearly, is easily distracted and, feeling she had plenty of time, began several of her own projects at her house rather than working on the painting. Of course, being pregnant, I can not do the painting right now.
I also can't get all my wonderful baby shower gifts and things put away in the room with all the furniture stacked in the middle, so the bags of baby things are still sitting in my living room- TWO WEEKS after the shower!! Frustrated yet?
The second thing to go was my knee, quickly followed by my back. So much for all of the walking and bending that things like cleaning and organizing require. And my poor husband has had to take over the horses because I'm not supposed to walk that much. There goes any time he would have had for helping me with house stuff.
To go along with my already limited movement, we then had an awful cold sweep through the ENTIRE family! One of those achy, coughing, congested, chills kind of colds. Now absolutely NO ONE is getting ANYTHING beyond "must eat" done. Frustrated doesn't even come close at this point.
The interesting thing about all of this is that, while I have been stuck on the couch or bed, I decided to go back and read some of my old books. Several by Janette Oke, since I knew they are good and fast reads. I came across a recurring theme. That of contentment, usually paired with trusting God to meet our needs. The character in one book (The Bluebird and The Sparrow) had been insulted over and over again and become bitter. Then she realized that her attitude had made things much worse than they needed to be. If she had allowed herself to be content and forgiven the perceived injustices, she could have spent many of those years enjoying life.
I also listen to the teaching programs on my local Christian station when I am driving to my many doctor appointments. Since my appointment schedule is a little irregular, I will catch different programs on different days. By Thursday, this theme of contentment being a choice regardless of your circumstances rather than being happy because of your circumstances had been on at least five of the programs I caught. Neon sign anyone?
One point that I thought was really interesting was brought up on a program called Walk in the Word. The speaker mentioned Phillipians 4:13. Many of us know it "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He was saying how we often quote that verse and take it completely out of context. Paul wrote this book while he was in prison. In the verses before that, he is saying that he has "learned to be content whatever the circumstances". THAT is what he was talking about being able to do. Not pass a test, or win a game or get a job, but to be content and trust God regardless of what trial or reward he was given.
Hopefully, I will be able to take this lesson to heart. Rather than being frustrated that my working students are not doing the barn chores the way I would do them, I will be glad to have the help. Rather than being upset that my house is not neat and organized, I will do what I can and remind myself that I have a husband who does not love me because of my cleaning skills. Rather than be exasperated that the nursery is not ready, I will be glad that we have a bassinet in our room and will have some extra time before we need the nursery. And every time I trip over a gift bag, I will be thankful that we have such a supportive and loving church family who care enough for us to make sure we have all the things we will need to care for our precious new little one.
