C is for Contentment
Parent’s Corner- “For the Kids!” Series
Parent’s Corner began as a communication tool to inform parents what had been taught in Children’s Sunday school classes on a given Sunday morning, providing passages to read together and discussion questions to facilitate conversation between parents and their children during the week. We have just finished Year 3 of our curriculum series. The decision has been made to press “pause” in our Children’s ministry classes before beginning again with Year 1. While we are paused, I will be changing the focus of Parent’s Corner from curriculum notes, to teachable moments.
“For the Kids!”
This collection of topical journal entries will focus on teachable moments that parents can have with their kids. They will be grounded in Scripture, seasoned by stories and experiences, and distributed with love and prayers for many sweet times together as a family. In an effort to be organized and purposeful, I’ll be choosing topics by going through the alphabet. As I write this, please know that I don’t claim to have all of the answers. Not at all! What I do have is a genuine desire to have a teachable spirit, and a heart for the precious kiddos in our body.
C is for Contentment
Do you know what a thesaurus is? Have you ever seen one on the shelf at home or in the library? It is a book, much like a dictionary, where words are listed in alphabetical order. The difference between a dictionary and a thesaurus is that a dictionary will give you the meaning of a word, and a thesaurus will give you a list of other words that have similar meanings. (Pro tip. . . as a former teacher, I can tell you that this is a great way to learn new words and expand your vocabulary!)
I looked up the word “contentment” in my thesaurus and found these words listed as synonyms- fulfillment, pleasure, satisfaction, gladness, peace. The definition I found in the dictionary was “happy and satisfied”.
The Bible talks about being content in our present circumstances, no matter what they are.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12 NLT
I think Paul knew a little bit about suffering! Think back to the accounts of him being in jail! These were not comfortable situations at all! But he was content. Why? Because he knew that God was with him, and that he could draw his strength and encouragement from God. Paul could be content even if his circumstances did not change, because he knew that God was with him in his circumstances.
What about our lives today? What can we do to learn and practice contentment?
Here are some ways to practice contentment this week. . .
1. Parents, you may have some life experience in this! Share a memory with your kids about a time in your life when you really wanted something or really wanted something to change. Looking back, can you see how God was in that experience with you?
2. Have you ever heard the phrase, “practice makes perfect”? My high school band director used to say that practice didn’t make perfect, but practice made permanent. How can we practice contentment to make it a more permanent feature of our lives? Try making a list of everything you are thankful for, everything that brings you joy, and everything that you see as a blessing from God. Who in your family can make the longest list, either as a race or by taking your time?
3. Share these lists with your family members, giving thanks to God for giving you these blessings, and being with you in whatever circumstance you might be in.
4. Pray. We cannot become content on our own. It is when we look to the Lord for our strength that He is able to make us content and satisfied. This is my prayer for all of you.
5. All of us struggle from time to time. Who can you encourage this week? To whom can you be a blessing and a reminder of God’s love for them?