There are many ways a homemaker can learn to be content in her home. Awhile back my husband and I decided to redo our kitchen and replace the cabinets (by the way, you can click here if you are looking to find great bathroom wall cabinets). It was an incredible task, my husband pretty much tackled it all on his own in between his hours of working full time with practically only my young sons as helpers. You moms can imagine what it was like to have 10 people to feed, without a stove hooked up or sink and just an average size microwave to make it through! It was quite a challenge to figure out the logistics of it all (especially with baby twins) and I don't think I ever wanted to see another paper plate or piece of plastic silverware ever at that point--but somehow the good Lord brought us through it all! We lived that way for three months.
The entire time I asked the Lord for patience. I knew it would be easy to grumble, complain or have a pity party (yes, even for something that was going to bless us in the long run)---but how would that have helped the situation? Instead I tried my best to make it fun--a journey if you will, and be creative eating healthfully without cooking (which, by the way can be a pretty healthy way to go for many!). I knew I must be thankful and look at the situation with new eyes.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
Do I always choose this in a situation? No, I am human just like you and make wrong decisions sometimes--but the point is to definitely learn from our bad choices.
But June, you say, your story is nothing compared to what I am going through, you had it easy! I chose this story because sometimes as women we tend to focus in on the small details of things in our home or life that we don't like, or when things don't go our way we get discontented and distracted by it.
Do I always choose this in a situation? No, I am human just like you and make wrong decisions sometimes--but the point is to definitely learn from our bad choices.
But June, you say, your story is nothing compared to what I am going through, you had it easy! I chose this story because sometimes as women we tend to focus in on the small details of things in our home or life that we don't like, or when things don't go our way we get discontented and distracted by it.
Believe me, I have many stories like this one--many even worse! (Now this is a very mild story compared to some that I have --but at this time I am only sharing this one to spare you! ;)) You are not alone in your struggles, as many women have gone through many hardships, poverty, illness, abuse and neglect and such and have found ways to make it through with a grateful and contented heart. I am thankful, now that I look back and see that with EACH difficult instance in my own life the Lord was carefully chiseling away at my sinful heart and helping me become more like His Son.
I would like to share this new clip on Choosing Contentment to encourage you by Joy over at The Stay at Home Missionary:
I would like to share this new clip on Choosing Contentment to encourage you by Joy over at The Stay at Home Missionary:
(Remember to turn the music off in the sidebar!)
What challenging situation does the Lord have you in today?
What challenging situation does the Lord have you in today?
Does He want you to look at your situation with new eyes?
Many times He places these situations in our lives to further refine us.
How can you choose contentment today?
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