Monday, July 16, 2012

Happy & Content

“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.” Philippians 4:12b

Last week I took all four kiddos to the grocery store. Like always, I felt like I’d met my quota for exercising for the week after our shopping trip.

After picking up my groceries in the parcel pick up area, I started to pull away from the building, but a very old woman and her daughter stepped out of the store’s deli just in front of me. They could have easily waited for me to pass, but I stopped and waved them forward. They both graced me with beautiful smiles and then the older woman began to step off the curb with her walker. It took more time than I’d anticipated and my girls in the back seat asked why we weren’t moving. I told them we were waiting for the ladies to pass.

The little old woman continued to smile at me every once in a while and I smiled back, enjoying this moment to pause in the midst of my busy day. Eventually they moved past and we waved at one another. They both seemed so happy.

Which got me to thinking and I said to the girls: “I hope that woman has had a happy life. I hope she’s had a lot of joy and love. She looks happy, doesn’t she?”

The girls said she did. And I saw this as a great learning moment.

“Who decides if you’re going to be happy?” I asked the girls.

My oldest said she determines it and my younger daughter said God determines it.

“You’re both right.” I told them. “God made a decision even before you’re born that He wants you to be happy. In the Bible Paul called it content. Now you have to make that decision for yourself. You can’t expect other people or things in your life to make you happy, because if you do, you’ll always be disappointed.”

“I want to be happy,” said my oldest.

“So do I,” said my second daughter.

I love teaching my children real lessons during real life experiences, so I’m always looking for opportunities during our day. This won’t be the last time that I talk to them about the importance of being content whatever their circumstances, but hopefully this moment will be tucked away into their hearts as a good memory and they will think about it as they navigate through the ups and downs of life.

22 comments:

  1. Oh, what a sweet conversation to have with your kids. :)

    My mom is fond of reminding me that I don't have to let circumstances dictate my peace and joy...love it. :)

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    1. Moms are the best - aren't they? And raising children teaches us so much about ourselves. Sometimes when I'm teaching my child about something like this, I'm really talking to myself, too. And I've found it's even more important to live what I teach - not just say the words.

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  2. Great lesson, Gabrielle! And a message I needed to hear today. I think you're teaching your children such important values. Good for you, and very impressed that you ventured to the grocery store with all four. God bless you! :)

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    1. When my twins were first born I loved going to the grocery store, because it was an outing and I had very few that first year. Then, when they became toddlers, I didn't bring them to the store for over six months. Either my hubby would go and I'd stay at home, or I would go and he'd stay at home. It was way easier to keep the twins home. Now that my hubby is working so many long hours again (he owns a landscaping company), I have no choice, unless I went really late at night. It's a little easier now that they are 2 1/2, but it's still a LOT of work!

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  3. Once , my kids were discussing people's skin colour and weren't being too kind about people with brown skin. I was LIVID but decided to have a life lesson instead of a lecture.

    "Guys, do you love Grandpa?"
    "Well, of course! Yeah!"
    "What colour is Grandpa?"
    "...brown."

    One discussion. One lesson. 3 hearts swayed carefully and forever.

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    1. "One discussion. One lesson. 3 hearts swayed carefully and forever." I love this! And, it sounds like something you'd read on the back cover copy of a good book.

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  4. Aw, you're such a good mommy! Hope I can take the time to teach my kids like that too whenever I have them. :)

    I love what Paul says about contentment. I love this illustration my friend read me from a devotional. It basically talks about how our spiritual lives should be like the depths of the ocean, where it's calm even when a storm rages above. If our foundation is firm, then we are at peace even when trials thunder around us. I just love that.

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    1. I love the illustration, Lindsay! I've learned that peace and contentment aren't the absence of the storm, but staying calm during the middle of it and your illustration is a perfect example. Even when the storm rages, we're at rest knowing Who is in control of everything.

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  5. What a great example of using life experiences to teach your children valuable lessons.

    Your scripture reference is one of my favorites. The fact that it says, "I've LEARNED to be content" always jumps out at me. It's kind of like what you were sharing with your daughters. When it comes to contentment, we have a choice to make. Will we be thankful and content (with what we have, in our circumstances, with who we are), or will we choose to grumble and complain, always believing the grass is greener on the other side?

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    1. Yes! One of the greatest things I've discovered in my life is that living the Christian life is a learned behavior and a choice. Like all lessons, it takes time and practice, but it can be learned.

      Teri, thank you for sharing your wisdom! I always love when you stop by.

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  6. Great teaching opportunity! Sometimes the lessons we reinforce for our children are the ones we most need to be reminded of. Wonderful reminder for all us, too.

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    1. I agree, Ava. I love when God uses my words to teach my children, and me, at the same time.

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  7. That's sweet. And a wonderful lesson to teach your kids, or even us adults :)

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    1. The lady I watched was very, very old, but she had such a sweet countenance about her. I want to be that happy when I'm her age. I love that God prompts my heart in those moments and that the Holy Spirit gives me the words we all need to hear.

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  8. This is a beautiful post. I love the idea of using those little moments to remind my children that life is what you make out of it.

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    1. I think the best lessons are those learned while you're living life. I want to teach my kiddos in the little moments, so that when the big moments come, they've already had a foundation put in place. Thanks for stopping by Johanna!

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  9. Beautiful wisdom for your kids...the words came just right.

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  10. Wow...I love teachable moments like that. Perfect! Contentment is so very important! Living in contentment means that we stop competing with the Joneses, envy and jealousy disappear, and we're satisfied with what God has given us. Period. That truly is the way to live!

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    1. Donna, you're so right! Wow, I love your insight and wisdom. Thank you so much for stopping by here and continuing the conversation.

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  11. Beautifully said!

    I remember when taking kids to Chic 2003 a huge part of the theme was the idea that while we don't choose our circumstances, we do choose how we react to them.

    Way to pause the day for a great moment!

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    1. Yes, Beka, I try to teach my kids that all the time. You can't control how a child may treat you on the playground, but you can control how you treat them. It's the same for all of us in any situation. Sometimes it's hard to remember, but that's when the Holy Spirit prompts us with His Word and Truth to remind us.

      I love your blog! I'm always excited when I see you've posted something. Keep up the good work!!

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