"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, NIV
While I was in the middle of cleaning my kitchen floor this past week -I'm the kind who does this on my hands and knees with a cleaning rag - I was overcome with such immense gratitude for all God is and has done in my life. Can you imagine that? Cleaning a floor and overcome with gratitude?
What happened was that I was listening to contemporary Christian music -it was either Third Day or Two Or More - and it hit me! I was content and grateful that I had the use of arms and legs to be able to clean, that I had the energy to do the work, that I had a home I could clean, that I lived in a country where I had access to non-toxic cleaning products, the list became endless. I was even thanking God for being able to breathe. What an experience!
You see, for the last year nearly my husband and I have wanted to move to a new home, to have more. Here's what is hysterical and how wonderful our God is to always direct us to what is really important -I lived in a home half-packed up to move but then we decided not to!
We'd had some trouble with this home last year and our initial response was to get the heck out of Dodge. That is always our first reaction I think -to flee. Ask Jonah about that! The realization we came to was, we can have trouble anywhere anytime. Doesn't matter if you're in a multimillion dollar home or a a low-income home. Doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, young or old. We still have trouble.
The difference can be that when we put our full trust in God, obey Him and live for Him -breathe in Him continually, we do not have to worry or fret. We can be content with full gratitude to Him! That is what happened to me during a menial chore. I realized in that moment how grateful I was to God for ALL His provision. For Him. For my husband. For my dog. For our home.
We have started to unpack, put things back in order, get some upgrading done on the house, interacting with our neighbors again, cleaning out, fixing up, etc. I think that's what hit me so hard. We have community here. We have more than most folks in most countries can ever conceive of and yet our abundant material wealth in this country always has us seeking for more and better. My neighbor even said to me this morning while we were both out planting plants, watering and doing general clean up, that she gets some new things and then a couple of months later the novelty has worn off.
That's how we are. As I was cleaning that floor (I'm pretty focused on having CLEAN) I realized how one day it would ALL be gone. That what matters is Jesus and our relationships with others! It's not like I didn't GET that before, it's just that the whole idea hit me with such enormity that I could do nothing but literally fall down on my knees and give praise to our Sovereign God!
He allowed me the cleansing of going through all the trials for nearly a year to get to this: Contentment in gratitude. This does not mean that I won't whine again in the future (human sinful nature), that I won't want anything else ever again, it just means that I finally was able to come to some understanding of what Paul said about being content -whether abased or abound be content. Be grateful. Then realize, eternity in heaven with God and all my Christian brethren, is far far more than I could ever even conceive of wanting or needing. God is so generous that He would do that for us through His only begotten Son. Amazing isn't it?
Be content my brothers and sisters and ever grateful to all our God is continually doing for and in us!
About the Author:
Kim Bloomer is a natural pet care coach educating pet owners on how to prevent disease in their pets naturally using natural feeding, methods, modalities and products. Visit her website at aspenbloom pet care and her dog's blog at aspenbloom pet care
Look for her upcoming new line of dog gear with Dee Kreidel of FaithMinders.com and a book on natural dog health with Dr. Jill Elliot, DVM slated for spring 2006 release.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More
Connor, a man in his late 40's, has achieved everything... Read More
How many of you out there have ever wondered if... Read More
The words 'new age' and 'spirituality' can have people running... Read More
Ephesians 4:4-6 indicates that Christians ought to practice one single... Read More
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.... Read More
We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
The tongue is such a tiny little organ. Yet, it... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More
"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More
I am disturbed by the tendency of some people to... Read More
Who Are you?Have you ever asked yourself the question 'Who... Read More
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.... Read More
Today is the day that I'm getting back into exercise.... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
If I speak in the tongues of men and of... Read More
To find out how psychic you are, try answering the... Read More
There is no such thing as a coincidence. Albert Einstein... Read More
Yesterday, a marketing guru asked me a question that left... Read More
We all hear of the concept of the "Enlightened Master",... Read More
Now, I will recount in full what happened to me... Read More
Although spring is just around the corner, there have been... Read More
Angels are making their presence felt everywhere. Once I started... Read More
I'm weary of saying No to my children. Not just... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals .."He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written... Read More
In my work with clients who have physical illnesses there... Read More
If you've been on a conscious spiritual journey for any... Read More
Kundalini Awakening - the sure shot method for awakening of... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
Did you ever get a feeling or gain notion of... Read More
Most of us have heard talk or have read something... Read More
Just for a moment think of what is stopping you... Read More
Remember me! It's me! Joseph here in touch with you... Read More
It was in the middle of the night and the... Read More
A magnificent source of life insurance and it's FREE. You... Read More
Being critical of Buddhism isn't easy.Buddhism is the most likable... Read More
Ecclesiasts 5:18 Then I realized that it is good and... Read More
One of the saddest times in any child's life is... Read More
For the last 35 years, I have been working with... Read More
Why do bad things happen to good people? Surely this... Read More
Have you ever experienced a traumatic event? I'm sure the... Read More
It will all be clear in a minute, but first... Read More
Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on... Read More
Recently, I received a frantic midnight call from one of... Read More
"Our mind is capable of passing beyond the dividing line... Read More
As a Coach and Psychotherapist I have found that the... Read More
The ultimate purpose of dreaming is to provide you with... Read More
Saturday I was hangin' ten on my Dell when I... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
Spirituality |