The Blessings Of Contentment

The Blessings Of Contentment

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:16

Bernie, my first patient of the morning, took one look at me and said, “You look tired.”

He was right. I knew I did. It was a Monday morning, and I had just finished a weekend shift in the ER.

“For an old watermelon farmer, I’m doing fine,” I said.

Bernie laughed.

Every day I feel blessed beyond measure. Growing up, I had much less materially than I do now. But even back then, I remembered being content and happy with what God had given me.

Though my fatigue was showing that morning, it didn’t keep me from counting all the ways God has blessed this poor country boy from Alabama. For example, I love serving underprivileged country folks just like the ones I grew up with. God has given me an amazing wife and four wonderful children, and we all have more than enough clothes and food and a comfortable home. The kids are all healthy and doing well, and we have friends at both church and school.

“Enough about me, how are you and your kids doing?” I asked Bernie.

I listened as Bernie told me about his family. We were both blessed not only to have our families and our jobs, but also to have grown up in America, where we can take advantage of the opportunities that this country offers. No matter what troubles we face, our blessings certainly outweigh them.

Our contentment shouldn’t be determined by the idols we have created. It should come from our appreciation of what God has done for us. Even on a Monday morning when I am tired from working all weekend, I can still say that God has blessed me, and I am content.

TODAY’S RX

If you search for contentment, you may never find it. But if you count your blessings, you surely will.

Father, help me to remember and be thankful for all the blessings you have bestowed on me. Even in the difficult times, may I never forget all you have done for me.