Learning To Be Content

If we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

He woke in the night, crying out in pain. My husband Kyle and I jumped out of bed and ran to his room as soon as his cries reached our ears.

“My stomach really hurts,” our eleven-year-old son said, clutching his midsection.

He’d been sick all the previous day, alternately vomiting and sleeping. We thought he just had a bug but now worried it could be something more.

“Maybe you should take him in,” I whispered to my husband. He nodded in agreement.

I helped our son put on some clothes and shoes while Kyle started the car to heat up against the cold winter night. As we waited for it to warm, we whispered a quick prayer for him. After they left, I checked on our girls before crawling back in bed, turning on the sound on my phone. I knew I wouldn’t sleep, but I laid my head against the pillow to rest.

Twenty minutes later, my phone dinged.

“He’s seeing the doctor now. They’re ordering tests, but they think it’s his appendix.”

Relief washed over me. They had a plan to help our child. A few hours later, Kyle called to let me know he was in surgery and everything was going well.

By the time our girls woke up the next morning and I let them know what had happened, the operation was over, and our son was resting in a hospital room.

Several days later, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who quickly acted to care for our son. At the same time, I pondered the reality that medical care is not so easily accessible worldwide.

There are millions of people living without access to some of the things that I can easily take for granted—medical care, schooling, shelter. How often do I go through my days feeling disgruntled when my basic needs are already met? Too often, I’m afraid my family won’t have what they need. The Bible says that if we have clothing and food, we should be content. That may not seem like much, but when I focus on just today, it’s enough.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Think of all the simple things that you often take for granted. How can you focus on contentment in light of what you already have?