Finding Contentment

The topic of finding contentment has been put on my heart a lot lately. The Lord is reminding me that having a baby is not going to make life any easier or bring true contentment. In all honestly, I think life will get a lot harder. Right now I just have to take care of myself and my husband, but when one or more (hopefully three or four) are added into the mix, it will get much harder.

I see so many ladies who put their life on hold to have a baby. But, according to scripture finding contentment can happen in all circumstances. Baby or no baby. We should be content.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

What if instead of only looking to the future, we all enjoyed the present? We receive so many blessings every day from the Lord, but we are so wrapped up in what is next that we skip over what He is trying to show and teach us in the moment. The last thing I want to do when we are holding our babies is look back on our journey and on our marriage and feel like every day was wasted. I want to enjoy this time to grow closer to each other and grow closer to the Lord. I don’t want to be so focused on what we don’t have that we miss out on all the good that we do have.

I honestly believe we are always in a season of waiting, hence the “In Due Time” title. I watched many/most of my friends get married before me. I waited. And waited. And waited. It was worth every second, every minute, every hour of waiting, because as the Lord always does He brought me someone better than I could have asked or imagined. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

And, now, now we wait for a baby. I have so many friends who are pregnant. So many friends who have babies. One of my closest friends from growing up in pregnant with her third. My next four weekends consist of four baby showers, three of which I am hosting. Despite the presence of babies around me, the Lord has overwhelmed me with a peace and joy. He reminds me that my contentment is found in Him, not based on what doctors have told us or the circumstances around us.

When we have our children, I foresee more times of waiting. Waiting on them to take their first step, waiting on them to say their first word. Perhaps all the other kids around them will have taken that step or said that word way before they do. We wait and wait. And while we wait and looking forward to the next step, we continue to miss out on the present.

How is it possible to desire a baby so bad, but still have joy instead of jealousy? It’s through Him! When you seek Him fully, you will be fulfilled with true contentment. There is nothing else that can bring joy like He can. Not even a baby. Maximize your single days or married days. Make the most of your job. Spend time investing in friends or volunteering. Breath in. Breath out.  Enjoy the moment. It might not last that much longer. Always remember that God has purpose in every day.