Wednesday, July 21, 2010

What my daughter is teaching me about contentment

Josh often says to Susie "Don't be a piggy!"  It's gentle teasing because we think she's so cute when she attempts to cram 75 Cheerios into her mouth at once.  It's like she thinks they taste best only if they are falling out of her mouth while she tries to chew.  Lately I've been noticing the way she asks for things, and in particular the way she asks for food or snacks.  She LOVES these little Annie's Bunny Crackers, but since they are a little bigger than Cheerios, I only give her one or two at a time.  She'll snatch that bunny up off her high chair tray , and the second she pops it into her mouth, she thrusts her chubby little hand out, pointing at the crackers and saying "MO, MO" (around the whole one in her mouth).  I say "try to chew it up first!" and think "wow, she's not even enjoying the one she has because she's just worried about getting the next one!"

Bingo.  And that's me.  I've got a whole bunny cracker in my mouth, but already I'm reaching for something else -- the next blessing, whatever it is.  It's like I don't trust the Lord to give me another one in His timing, so I start asking for it before I've even taken the time to relish and be thankful for what I do have.

Are you like me?  Not satisfied with the paycheck you have, or the children you have, or this good day right now that you have, or even the memories that you have, you can only think forward, ready to get the next thing.  

When will we be satisfied?  When the whole box of bunny crackers is dumped out on our high chair tray?  No, then we'll see bananas and start asking for those.  

Silly, I know, but the point is, we will never be satisfied.  Let's ask the Lord for grace to be content with what he has given!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this, Gretchen. I find myself doing the exact same thing as Susie. I just finished reading Knowing God by Packer and it was chock-full of riches and blessings that I fail to take time treasure and thank God for.

James and Christen said...

Such a challenging post. It is amazing all the things we can learn from our kids. I am glad you are so sensitive to the things of the Lord. It is far to easy to become content with where we are in our christian life. I have been so challenged lately with the thought that the closer I grow to Christ, the more I will see my own sinfulness. Somehow that is both discouraging and encouraging!! Thanks for sharing! C

Emily Benzing said...

This was a really good post, and totally true! I seem to always be ready for the next thing, even though I know that is not the way to enjoy life! I am so blessed with the things I have been given. :)