Freedom in Contentment

I've been thinking a lot about the idea of contentment lately.  One of my personal goals, as well as a goals for our family, is to live simply - to fill our lives with the important stuff, and not let all the noise overtake our minds and spirits.  Does that make sense?

I think contentment fits so well within the sphere of living more simply.  For me personally, where this can be the most difficult is in social media.  I love the friendships I have made and the connection to keep up with family.  I love that I have the ability to preserve such wonderful memories with the touch of a screen.  What I don't like is the feeling that everyone else's lives are a perfectly styled what-I-wore post on a "lifestyle" blog, a nursery straight out of Pottery Barn or a gourmet meal on a weeknight in an instagram capture.

Don't misunderstand me, I enjoy following and keeping up with these types of people just as much as the next person and having new things is in no way bad (it can be super fun!), but the problem is when my thoughts start to move from inspiration to inadequacy.  That is when I make it a point to take a step back from all the noise and to take one towards the One in whom I find my worth and rest - the One who has given me all I need and more.  I am freed to experience true contentment and overflowing joy when I begin to dwell on and be filled with gratitude from the countless blessings in my life - family, friends, health, safety etc. - and not on what I don't have or think I should have to make me happy.  If working in pediatric oncology has taught me anything, it's that life is way too short to worry about things that won't last!

Here's a little excerpt from a blog post that's going around that I think rings so true.  If you have a few minutes, go read the whole thing here.  There is such freedom in gratitude!

"Sometimes it seems that our entire economy is based on distracting women from their blessings.  Producers of STUFF NEED to find 10,000 ways to make women feel less than about our clothes, kitchens, selves, so that we will keep buying more.  So maybe freeing ourselves just a little from the Tyranny of Trend is a women's issue - because we certainly aren't going to get much world changing done if we spend all of our time and money on wardrobe and kitchen changing."

So maybe I don't have a Michael Kors bag and my jeans are from Target, but I have a healthy, happy baby, a hard-working husband that loves me, a safe place to live and good food in my pantry.  I am free to drive my reliable, paid-off, 10-year-old car to church to worship each week and freely express my love of Jesus without anyone killing or jailing me for it.

I'd say that's a pretty wonderful life right there!
Today, I choose contentment.
Will you join me?