This morning, these words spoke to me deeply. It is from the ebook, Mindset for Moms written by Jamie C. Martin. She also has a blog, SteadyMom.com and writes for SimpleHomeschool.net.
"There's a dangerous force lurking inside our homes. I wrestle with it at times, kicking it out the door in triumph. But at other times it sneaks up on me so slowly that I don't realize until its claws are deeply entrenched in my mind.
Discontentment.
Why is it so easy to live in the past or future? Why is it so much more work to remain in the now when the now is all we really have?
The solution is so obvious it seems almost redundant, so clear it's almost pointless to verbalize. The solution is to want what you have.
In any aspect of life - from parenting to blog growth, from marriage to book writing - another goal always lies ahead. There's always another dream to strive for. And that's good and right. We invite beauty into our lives by living with dreams.
But often we don't realize that the now we currently live in represents dreams of yesterday fulfilled.
How many of us hoped for the day we could become mothers? Yet does that hope seem as thrilling when our two-year-old screams for hours in the middle of the night?
Last night little people interrupted my sleep three times: two potty accidents and one nightmare. As my groggy eyes slowly opened this morning, my first intentional thought was a phrase my husband Steve and I say often - "It doesn't get any better than this."
Because right now, this moment, is my only guarantee.
So today, in spite of life's hardships, pain, or disappointments, make a decision. Make it for your children and your husband, but most of all, for yourself.
Want what you have."
Thank you Jamie for these words.
Recently I have felt God's generosity towards me in form of great edifying conversations. In these conversations we have tackled insecurity, discontentment, lust (not just how we typically view lust) and pride. These are all things that I wrestle and war against at a deep level. What I have loved about these conversations is that they didn't end on the struggle. In each of the conversations we pushed through the darkness and into the beautiful light of Jesus Christ. We encouraged one another that He *ALONE* is enough, we spoke loving truth to one another, reminded each other that pure joy comes from Him. Yes I wrestle and struggle with these things (and other sin) but Jesus loves me and He loves me enough to die on the cross. How can I not find deep joy and delight in that!?!?
Last night in small group we were discussing lust. Lustful thoughts can, and often do, come in the form of I would be happier if......... Initially, we don't think that way, but if we really examine our thoughts it will often lead us here. We then went around the room and shared our "I think I would be happier ifs". It was beautifully difficult.
With that, I want to encourage you to think about where you are discontent and answer the "I would be happier if" question. As difficult as it is, there is freedom to be found and joy to be had in reminding ourselves that even where we fall short and struggle that Jesus loves us and deems where we are and what we have to be good for us right now. Joy is not circumstantial - Praise the Lord!!!!!
