Contentment...

1 Timothy 6:6

... Godliness with contentment is great gain...

I'm realizing that I struggle with contentment. 

I haven't really noticed it until recently... but am now seeing how it affects SO many areas of my life.

* Food  - I'm not content to simply eat until I'm satisfied... I eat until I've eaten too much or one too many. 

BUT...

 I am learning to be thankful for each flavor and to look at food as simple sustenance... not as a "love affair".

* My Mom Bod - I'm not content with the changes in my body since having children... even though I would NEVER trade my two girls for a second. (And am realizing that it's a mixture of both "mom bod" and "my own bad choices bod" that I'm not happy about.)

BUT... 

I am making an effort to make exercise a part of my life and realizing that my bikini days are over!

* Our House - I'm not content with living in this small house even though it's renovated, cozy, and completely paid for. 

BUT... 

I LOVE the area we live in and believe that God has provided this place for us... and when He's ready HE will provide the next one.

* Living Here in Canada - I'm simply not content to be living in Manitoba. I constantly yearn to be "at home"... a place where I feel like I belong, can be completely myself, and have tons of family and friends at our "disposal". 

BUT... 

I am realizing that we do have several people here that really care about us, and that I need to TRY to belong ... it won't just magically happen.

* Clothes - I'm not content with the amount of clothes in my closet or the way they fit. 

BUT... 

I'm thankful that I have what I need and that we don't "charge it" to buy the greatest and latest.

* Talents and Gifts - I'm not content with the talents and gifts I have... I am always wishing I had someone else's. 

BUT... 

I need to use the gifts and talents I DO HAVE in order for the Lord to grow them and make them more "pleasing" to both Him and I.

Photo by Jenaya MacKinnon

So... today is my first day of... 

Operation : Contentment or Complaintment 
(yes, I realize "complaintment" isn't a real word!)

- Even though it's freezing cold outside, I'm happy that Spring is coming!

- Even though we still live in a SMALL house, I'm thankful that it's ours.

- Even though we don't have a dishwasher, I'll look at washing dishes as a "warm up / spa treatment" for my hands!

- Even though my clothes dryer is on the fritz, I absolutely LOVE hanging up laundry... and have little desire to "go back".

- Even though my hair is frizzier than a poodle in July today ... I'm glad it's curly!

- Even though my clothes are a little snugger than desired... I'll wear lots of layers and suck it in as much as possible!

- Even though my girls have a tad more attitude than I would like, I love each of their little personalities!

- Even though Jon and I's relationship wouldn't pass a "marriage book inspection", he loves me... he thinks I'm doing a fabulous job as a mother... he would choose to marry me again... and has told me over and over that we're in this together.

And that, my friends, can make me float on air for days!