A Valuable Life Lesson

 

We learn many lessons throughout our lives. Experience is a great teacher, but sometimes we know to do something and must train ourselves to do it.

This week I was asked, “What does it mean to be content?” Perhaps most people would agree contentment is when we’re not worried about things; we have a sense of peace and satisfaction.

Some would argue contentment is in content, things they own. They want to accumulate even more. Their focus is entirely earthly, not a heavenly thought is hiding anywhere in their mind.

Jesus taught that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). In fact, the parable He shared to make His point is titled “The Parable of the Rich Fool.” A farmer with an abundance of crops decided to build bigger storage barns, and then take it easy. He thought I can eat, drink, and be merry for many years (Luke 12:16-21). He was entirely self-focused.

Jesus had another occasion to teach that eternal life was more important than things. A rich young man was interested in eternal life and asked Jesus about it. When Jesus said it was important to keep the commandments, he felt pretty good, because he already did that.

But when questioned further, Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:16-22). The young man was very unhappy because he had great wealth and didn’t wish to part with any of it.

You can read more about eternal good deeds, generosity, and giving to others in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. But the Apostle Paul, a dedicated missionary/evangelist/and church planter said he had learned to be content. He found Christ gave him strength to do what was needed; it did not depend on his circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13).    

How far have you come in this life lesson? Our first option is to learn to give freely to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 says God loves a cheerful giver and that giving is a way of thanking God for His provision.

Next, comes a focus on others. That could include your local food bank, missions, your care for a family in need, thrift store donations, Christmas projects, or donations through wills and trusts.   

It’s a personal choice (2 Corinthians 9:7). Feel free to jump right into the Contentment Learning Pool, even if you try the shallow end first.

Swimming Pool by gbeaty on Pixabay.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. 

Two Fellows on a Ship

There’s one undeniable fact about a ship’s passengers. Together, they are headed in the same direction. That’s why I think fellowship can also mean friendship.

Today I shredded an old church directory but the introductory statement caught my attention: “This is not a “Church Directory” or a “Family Directory” in the traditional sense, but a “Friendship Directory.” The goal has always been to make it easy for people to connect in positive ways . . . encouraging one another . . . helping one another . . . praying for one another . . . always building up the Body of Christ.”

I also reviewed the closing statement: “As you reach out to one another may “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23, NIV) as you continue to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV).

I can’t imagine life without friends. As a child I took to heart this verse: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 (KJV). This proved to be true in school, at work, and in church. I would also remind you, when it comes to friendship, don’t discount family.

My recent fall required surgery and 24/7 home care for nearly eight weeks. It not only made me appreciate the value of friendship, but I realized you don’t create meaningful friendships overnight.

Before my fall, I made weekly luncheon appointments with friends. I never dreamed I would need their physical and moral support on a deep level later, but I thank God for each one. I’ve asked Him to bless them in ways that mean the most to each of them.

Each friend is enjoyable because of their unique interests and character traits. Day and night we were two fellows on a ship. I believe our journey succeeded because we followed the church directory advice to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Close fellowship can’t help but cause some stress. My friends learned new things about me and I about them, but by God’s grace we kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I’m grateful for that.   

Two Fellows on a Ship

There’s one undeniable fact about passengers on a big ship or a small boat. Together, they are headed in the same direction. That’s why I think fellowship can also mean friendship.

Today I shredded an old church directory but the introductory statement caught my attention: “This is not a “Church Directory” or a “Family Directory” in the traditional sense, but a “Friendship Directory.” The goal has always been to make it easy for people to connect in positive ways . . . encouraging one another . . . helping one another . . . praying for one another . . . always building up the Body of Christ.”

I also reviewed the closing statement: “As you reach out to one another may “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23, NIV) as you continue to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV).

I can’t imagine life without friends. As a child I took to heart this verse: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24 (KJV). This proved to be true in school, at work, and in church. I would also remind you, when it comes to friendship, don’t discount family.

My recent fall required surgery and 24/7 home care for nearly eight weeks. It not only made me appreciate the value of friendship, but I realized you don’t create meaningful friendships overnight.

Before my fall, I enjoyed getting together with my friends. I never dreamed I would need their physical and moral support later on a deep level, but I thank God for each one. I’ve asked Him to bless them in ways that mean the most to them.

Each friend has unique interests and character traits. That's the spice of life; however, close fellowship can't help but cause some stress. My friends learned new things about me and I about them. 

But as two fellows on a ship, I believe our journey succeeded because by God's grace we kept the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. I'm grateful for that.

Boat/Lake photo by Ashkan on Pixabay 

A MOM FOREVER

Mom died over twenty years ago, but she is still an influence in my life. I enjoy memories of our tea-time talks after school in my senior year of high school. We had moved from a small town where I had always walked to and from school, to a major city where I had to take public transportation to a private school.

First of all, the bus took me downtown. My social education was expanded as I saw a wide variety of ethnic groups. From there it seemed a long route north then west to my school. The process reversed in the afternoon and it was always a great relief to exit the bus at my corner.

One of my earliest memories is of Mom kneeling at her bedside. She would leave the door open and tell me to call her if needed. In later years I remembered her reading her Bible day after day, each year from a different translation.

As a minister’s wife, she was active in hospitality. I enjoyed the missionaries and evangelists in our home. Only as an adult did I realize the extra work it required. Mom was also active in visitation with Dad and in organizing the women’s missionary council fund-raising sales, and Vacation Bible School.

Mom also took an interest in her three children’s daily education. She was unable to complete high school, but later got her GED. She made sure our homework was done and any bad verbal grammar was corrected immediately.

I always smile when I remember the contrast between first and second grade. I loved my first-grade teacher but the second one not at all. One day I walked home from school during recess. Mom immediately walked me back instructing me to “never do that again!”

Thanks to Mom, I learned positive character choices and social skills, but that wasn’t all. Spiritual lessons were shared at home and church, and I learned much by observing her choices and interactions with others.

As I grew into adulthood, Mom and I became friends. I rarely got to live near her, but we talked on the phone often and sometimes got to visit in person.

Some phrases in Proverbs 10 (NKJV) remind me of Mom. For example: (v.7) The memory of the righteous is blessed, (V. 11) The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, and (v. 14) Wise people store up knowledge.  

Mom, though you are gone, you are mine forever and I’m looking forward to that great reunion day!

POSTSCRIPT: A NOTE REGARDING RECOVERY FROM MY UNEXPECTED FALL ON MARCH 21, 2024:

      Thank you to all those who have prayed for my recovery. Give God the glory. Since breaking my right femur and having surgery on March 21st, I now have a rod in my leg, titanium repair at the "neck" of the hip, and a safe new metal ball joint.

I am also thankful for all the friends and family who were caregivers 24/7 when I got out of rehab, after a hospital stay. I now do most things independently and have only a nighttime caregiver which should end next week. With the good report from my surgeon on May 7, all restrictions were removed. I'm still on a walker, but practicing with a cane.