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8/24/2015 Devotions Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotions
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Amy Carroll November 26, 2014
A Cornucopia of Contentment
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.
Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
My grandparents were farmers on the plains of Kansas where the
houses were separated by acres of
wheat, so time with friends and neighbors was precious. One
evening, a neighboring family came over for
a meal at my grandmas house. My dad and aunt, still
elementary-aged, played with the other kids until it
was time to scoot up to the table ladened with food from the
farm and garden steaming vegetables,
savory meat and sweet fruit pies.
Home-cooked goodness passed around until every plate had mounds
of food. A happy silence fell while
everyone chewed. Suddenly, little Mary Jane, one of the
neighbors daughters, piped up saying, This
steak is tough.
Her ever-vigilant mother cheerfully replied with just a hint of
threat, And thats the way we likeit. Isnt it,
Mary Jane?
We never have a gathering of our extended family when that quote
isnt evoked. Inevitably, someone will
begin to complain and somebody else will say, And thats the way
we likeit. Isnt it, Mary Jane? No
matter when its said or who says it, the whole group explodes in
laughter.
Maybe you have to be there to think its as funny as we do, but
Ill bet your family has a way to remind
everyone to be thankful, too. Justlike our family, you find a
way to rejoice through the awkward, difficult
moments.
As the holiday season starts, we try to focus on the blessings
of life, yet the circumstances of life remain
imperfect. The turkey is raw, or somebodys mad. Theres not
enough money to pay all the bills, or a
loved one is missing from the table. Youre still longing for a
baby, or your resume hasnt landed on the
right desk yet. No matter what the circumstance, big or small,
theres always something that makes life
seem a little tougher than it should be.
Life was hard for Paul as he wrote our key verse from prison.
Even so, he calls us to be content in need,
when we feel the ache of lack, and in plenty, when
self-sufficiency and the quest for more seem to invade.
What was Pauls secret weapon that led to contentment through
tough times?
Gratitude.
Eight times through the book of Philippians Paul uses the word
rejoice. Gratitude is seeking out and
finding joy no matter our circumstances.
Can we do it alone? No. Even super-Apostle Paul follows todays
key verse with, I can do everything
through him who gives me strength(Philippians 4:13,
NIV-1984).
Its difficult to be thankful in imperfect circumstances, but
Jesus enables us through His power. Jesus
gives us spiritual abundance even when theres lack in our
reality.
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7/23/2019 A Cornucopia or Contentment
2/2
8/24/2015 Devotions Proverbs 31 Ministries Devotions
http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/page/194/
As cornucopias, a symbol of abundance, fill the Pinterest boards
and fall displays in the stores, memories
of my grandmas garden come rushing back. The harvest from her
garden that later filled her table didnt
look like the perfect produce department in my local grocery
store. Pumpkins from her garden were flat
on one side, and the cabbage was often laced with insect holes.
Fruit had bruises and vegetables showed
signs of too much or too little rain. Life is like that too, yet
an imperfect life can be a cornucopia of
contentment when its viewed through the lens of
thankfulness.
A harvest of contentment springs from the soil of gratitude.
Even the flawed fruits of harvest in our lives can be nourishing
if well choose gratitude, joy and
contentment. As we face the great joys and sure disappointments
of the holiday season, I encourage all
of us with these words from Paul, Rejoice in the Lord always. I
will say it again: Rejoice!(Philippians 4:4,
NIV).
Lord, even though our lives are imperfect, we pray You would
give us strength to be thankful for Your
faithful provision and abundance. In Jesus Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
I Timothy 6:6, But godliness with contentment is great gain.
(NIV)
Colossians 2: 6-7, So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as
Lord, continue to live your lives in him,
rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you
were taught, and overflowing with
thankfulness. (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES
Visit Amy Carrolls blogtoday for a Cornucopia of Contentment
giveaway!
Let.It.Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in
Faithby Karen Ehman is a helpful
resource if youre looking to let God have more control in your
life.
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Make a list of things in your life for which you are grateful.
On a second piece of paper, make another list
of circumstances that are currently difficult.
Putting one hand on each list, pray for Gods strength in the
hard places and for focus on the blessings
He gives. Rejoice in a moment of contentment!
2014 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Categories Contentment
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