Thankfullness & Contentment

Thanksgiving? What's that? As we hurtle toward Christmas, I am amazed at how early we are inundated with the festive holiday marketing. Every year, it seems earlier and earlier that stores begin packing their isles with decorations, displays and Christmas themed products. This year it was well before Halloween, which makes me sometimes think that we are gradually moving toward one single Fall “Holiday Season”, rather than three individual celebrations. Thanksgiving is basically rolled over by the Christmas steam engine. Just a low profit holiday stuck between Halloween and Christmas. And I must admit, despite my frustration of the over marketing of Christmas, even in Christian stores, I get sucked into the web of consumerism that business weaves so strategically. What “stuff” do I want this year? What kind of cool “stuff” can I buy for my boys? How many more lights can I get on my house? How much larger of a tree can we squeeze into the living room? How can we make this the best Christmas so far? And before I know it, I’m spending more than I should and feeling less content.

Many years ago, my parents gave me an inspirational picture for Christmas that I hung in my office. The peaceful image was of a golden sunset silhouetted by a man in a kayak rowing across a calm, glassy lake. The picture was titled “Contentment” and the caption read, “When you can look at the past with pride and the future with hope, you can live comfortably with today”. It was'nt until many years later that I realized how true these words really are. The apostle Paul knew very well the true meaning of contentment and we see this repeated throughout many of his letters in the New Testament.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he says, “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 everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13).

From these words, we see that Paul understood that we have no real control over the past or the future. The only period of time that we can physically live within is the present. And our present situations in life can only be made peaceful through a complete surrender to God. The secret of contentment which Paul speaks of, lies in the last verse. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Paul reaffirms this understanding in his first letter to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul again links the secret of contentment to God. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” He then goes on to teach us that our physical possessions have nothing to do with our contentment. “For we brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” And doesn't this seem to be what being "thankful is all about"? No wonder marketers don't want to focus on Thanksgiving! We might not spend as much because we are content with what we have!

But as we begin our plans for Christmas, let's not forget take a break and actually give thanks for what God has done in our lives. Observe Thanksgiving and take some time to discuss your blessings with your children. Help them to understand what it means to be thankful and who we are thankful to. Let us help them to see that contentment does not lie in all the "stuff" of life. Contentment lies in being "thankful" for what God has given us each day; whether good or bad; whether a lot or just a little. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

21st Century Abram

Abram wakes up on Monday morning feeling a little uneasy. Maybe it was a bad dream. Maybe he just didn't get the sleep he needed. Maybe he's coming down with something. Who knows. He ritualistically walks into the kitchen, pours himself a cup of coffee and tosses a couple of slices of bread into the toaster. He sits down with his Bible and begins to read through a few Psalms for daily guidance, but he just can't escape the uneasy feeling he awoke with. What's going on? He begins to pray, but only hears silence. He meditates on God and what He has been doing in his life, his career, his family; but Abram just can't seem to shake the feeling that something is just not right. The sun is peeking through the window. He finishes his toast. The coffee is cold. His heart is cold. Why?

He gets into his car, leans back, adjusts his seat, takes a deep breath and heads for work. He begins to feel a little more comfortable about his day, after all, Abram loves his job and has reached a point in his career that he feels very good about. He makes a very good income and has acquired a level of success that affords him and his family a more comfortable living than he ever imagined. God has been good and Abram knows that well.

Abram works just outside of his hometown, and as he approaches the exit to his office building, he passes a sign that he has seen a thousand times. But this morning, something strikes him to the core of his being. "Leaving Haranburg". The uneasiness returns. His heart races, as well as his mind. His hands start to sweat as he grips the steering wheel, and before he knows it, Abram is pulling off to the side of the road. "Leaving Haranburg...Leaving Haranburg" He repeats this in his mind over and over. What does this mean? "God, what are you up to? Why did this common sign, that I pass each morning, cut into the normality of my commute? Am I losing it? Am I cracking up? God speak to me!?" And God does speak. Does he ever!

"Abram, sell everything that you can't get into this Land Cruiser. Sell your home and everything else that you can't take with you, and turn in your resignation today. Leave your friends, family, get your wife and children, get on I-45 and start driving. I'll show you where you are going." I'm sorry...WHAT?

This sounds a little different with a modern perspective, doesn't it? A little scary? A little crazy? Unrealistic? Irresponsible? But that was the lot (pun intended!) that Abram faced in Genesis 12. Abram left it all to follow the God he believed in and trusted. He gave up much of his wealth, family and security, to follow the uncertainty. The unknown. The ridiculous. The senseless. But despite all this, he remained faithful and followed the promises of God. He walked the walk. Relied on faith.

Our ways are not His ways. Our plans are not His plans. Does God still lead us into uncertain, and sometime cathodic situations? Just look around you. Take an inventory of your life and see what kinds of things have happened in your life. The pieces may fit together today, but more than likely, they didn't at one time. And if you haven't been tested like Abram was, the chances are that you will be someday. You will because His ways are not our ways. His plans are not our plans.

When we teach children the story of Abram (Abraham), let us be sure that we focus on the similarities of modern day. God still leads us where we don't want to go from time to time. He still brings us through uncomfortable situations because His ways are not our ways. His plans are not our plans. These are uncertain times that we live in, and our children will be facing many uneasy stages of life. They may never have to make radical life changes like God led Abram to make, but what matters most is that we are building the foundations of faith that they will be able to stand on. As teachers, as parents, our job is it instill the values of faith and what it really means to trust in a God that is real. No matter what sacrifices and challenges our children face, they need to know deep within the essence of their soul, that God will show them what they need to do. Where they need to go.

The Birth of Laughter

Do we laugh enough today? Do we laugh with our children enough? Do they see us laughing? Laughter is a good thing, isn't it? Laughter is a blessing. It's a release. It's healing. It's joy. It's natural. It's life. Have you ever found yourself in one of those brief moments of life when you are so filled with joy, that you just start laughing? One of those times where you are having so much fun that laughter just seems to pour out of you uncontrollably? It might not happen very often, but it creeps up from time to time, doesn't it?

I love watching little babies or toddlers laugh! You know the laugh I'm talking about. That little repetitious, giggling, vibrating, almost mechanical, uncontrollable laugh! You can't help but get caught up in it and begin laughing yourself! It doesn't matter what the child is laughing at! It's contagious! And when you think about it, children laugh a lot, don't they? It's almost as if they instinctively have the disposition to laugh at almost anything. Maybe they know something we don't, and laugh at how goofy we can be as moms and dads? I don't know!

But one thing I have learned as a parent; kids teach us to laugh more often than we do on our own. It's a huge factor of raising kids, just as much as crying! And the one thing that it does more than anything else is that it "connects". It bonds us together with our kids because we share in a moment of joy that is pure and real. In fact, I would go so far as to say that these are divine moments that come from God, and is the kind of joy in life that He longs for all of us to have all the time.

The Hebrew meaning of the name Issac is "he will laugh", "he laughs" or just "laughter". In Genesis 21:1-6, we read a little story about the birth of baby named Issac. He was born to an old couple named Abraham and Sarah as a promise to Abraham from God. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. But there were a couple of problems with this promise. Abraham and Sarah were old timers! Well beyond the age that most of us start trying to have kiddos! And this would be their FIRST baby! Why? Sarah was unable to carry a child! Kind of makes it difficult to fulfill this promise, huh? In fact, what does Sarah do when Abraham tells her about this promise from God, besides "what have you been smoking?" You guessed it! She LAUGHS!

But there's more to the meaning of Issac's name than Sarah's initial "laugh". When Issac finally comes into the world, she laughs again. But this time, it's not out of disbelief or bewilderment. She laughs because her joy is overflowing! It's almost as if she realizes in the instance of Issac's birth, the reason that God chose his name! God had done what He had promised and she is overwhelmed with joy! Can you imagine the joy that they felt at that moment in time? "Laughter" was born! Uncontrollable. Overflowing. Divine.