The Old Homeplace

Contentment

I have been reading The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment By Jeremiah Burroughs. This book has really helped me to see just what a dis-contented state that I am in. Even though it was printed in 1651(I think) it spoke directly to me in at least three different areas.

He spoke specifically of being concerned about the cloths and dishes we have in our houses.

You see, I bought a new set of dishes before the holidays. A set of Corelle, service for 8. This is the first set of new dishes that I remember buying. Was I satisfied? For a few minutes...then I started thinking that I really needed two sets. Now mind you that my husband and I are the only ones at home now and we rarely have over eight people eating here. But still in the back of my mind I was thinking how nice it would be to have matching plates when we have a lot of company. Here I was with a NEW set of dishes and all I could think about was how nice it would be to have two sets!

"Cloths", rather the lack thereof, is another thing that has been causing discontentment. I like to do crafts and I have really been wanting to work on a quilt. A pretty quilt. Now I don't NEED a quilt I WANT one. But the only store near me that carries fabric is Wal-mart and ours has very little now. And gas is so expensive that by the time I drive to the city and buy lunch I would not have much money left to spend at the shops. I looked on-line and found some quilt fabric that was selling for up to $12 a yard. A little too expensive AND I want to be able see and touch the fabric to get "inspired".

What to do! How am I going to make the quilt"s" that we NEED...did you notice that WANT changed to NEED and quilt changed to quilt"s"?

Not only do we have more than enough covers, but I have also been blessed with quilt fabric. I have been collecting fabric for an appliqued quilt for some time and have just about enough to start on it. I also have some quilt blocks and fabric from an on-line swap that I was privileged to participate in. But you know, somehow, I totally forgot about those. I wanted to be like "everybody" else and have a huge fabric stash! Instead of being thankful for what I have I was worried about acquiring something else.

That seems to be the way it is with me. Instead of being thankful for and enjoying what I have I am always worrying about what I don't have!

The third thing that really hit home was about having a good name. The writer implied that if you get too upset when someone damages your good name maybe you value your good name just a little too much! I had not thought about it in that way before. I needed to hear that just now.

This book has been a real blessing to me and I am thankful that these kinds of books are being made available on the internet. I found this one at:

http://www.woundedheart.org/jbcontent1.htm

I am seeking to be content in the state that I am in and I know it is not something I can do on my own. Please remember me as you pray.

thank-you....

09:16, Monday, January 21, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

i too struggle with contentment. i have to constantly daily, sometimes hourly pray and ask God to help me to be content and ask God for something, anything to be thankful for: just last week i asked God to be able to be content in a log cabin; even if it was one painted on the walls of my existing house...and God gave me a song in my heart. God does hear when you cry out to Him with your unability to be content or thankful about anything. and He does help. YOUR blog this morning has helped to encourage me that i am not alone in my struggles. have a blessed day.

I Love this book!!!!!

07:28, Monday, January 21, 2008 .. Posted by LittleHouse

Our pastor recommended this book when he gave a sermon on depression. I bought it and read it and I Love it. It has helped me so much:) It helped me look at things so differently.

Thank you for sharing this book with others:)

Blessings,

Ma