we left the stride rite outlet, and conveniently located outside is a whole carnival of kid's rides. suddenly the outlets become something i have to psych myself up for. is today going to be a special day with a ride? or not? if not, their hearts are crushed and life. is. over.
the day was a 75 cents ride kind of day. the kids sit in the probably uncomfortable, hard plastic seat of the shiny yellow school bus, "driving" it as their tiny hands turn the wheels as fast as they can while giving an obligatory horn honk every so often.
all is well until Hunter decides the school bus is not good enough; it's not what he really wants. the police car suddenly looks more appealing because it's what he doesn't have. he exits the moving school bus to go sit in the police car that is not moving, or honking or doing anything cool. and he sits there. bored. most likely wishing he was back on that school bus.
i give him a "you should be thankful for what you have and then you would've enjoyed your school bus ride a lot more" talk.
and with that, i instantly get knocked hard in the heart. i sit in that very school bus all the time, wanting to be in the police car. it is something different, something that is seemingly better than what i already have.
and so it is with contentment... being settled with what you have been given and being okay with it. it's time to start enjoying the big yellow bus, folks.
that police car tends to look like a lot of different things. if you're waiting for the right mister to come along and sweep you off your pretty feet... or maybe you're already married and waiting for the kids to arrive in order for you to really feel fulfilled. heck, you may be married with kids and are still longing for more of something. instead you may be in the carolina's wishing you were in california (that one's for me. ha!) or waiting for a house to sell, or waiting to buy a house, or, or, or. because it's always something.
Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition. - Jeremiah Burroughs
"Contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord, at His disposal." 1 Tim 6:6 - Sinclair Ferguson
what if that it's always something was replaced with"having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord, at His disposal?" i know life would be more enjoyed this way.
-carissa
27 {comments}:
this made me think ... love those quotes and had to re read them to let them soak in. Great post.
Hey Carissa,
I am with you girl. That police car looks like "the ride" so often. Sometimes I even find myself worring over life if I do get the cop car that I think I want. Ahh to be content and intentional where we are is the key to living for the kingdom. Great picture btw.
Brooke
Great quotes. Contentment is hard. Always. It's in our nature to always want more...I've always loved that Jeremiah Burroughs quote.
came over here from Grace's blog. Great post! Its always a good reminder that we are called to contentment, no matter the circumstances. You have a beautiful family!
Wow! You know how to knock a girl right between the eyes:-) This was great and made me think hard today! I love how you can apply a simple kid lesson to your own life. Contentment is a hard one to swallow, but is so peaceful when we do have it...no matter what the situation. Thank you for a great wake up call this morning!!!
That's a great way to look at it, Carissa. Love it. :)
Love,
~bree
what a fantastic reminder! thank you!
great words! thanks for posting this. definitely something i need to be reminded of time and time again. LOVE THAT Timothy verse!
perfect post! I am often convicted by my own words when I talk to Brayden about gratefulness, being kind or having a good attitude. Parenting is a humble ride.
You are so wise Carissa and I've come to depend on your blog for reminders just like this! Thanks for just being you and sharing it with all of us :)
Love you for writing this! I needed this reminder today. And everyday, really!
Girl I am riding in the front of the yellow bus and absolutely looking at the police car when I do need to just sit back and be content with my yellow bus. AMEN! Thank you :)
Mmm you are wise. Funny enough, I watched a Veggie Tales video the other day and now I have that song that goes "a thankful heart is a happy heart..." stuck in my head. Do you know it?
Thanks for sharing :)
This post is beautiful. I thought I learned to be content. But then I realized that it's a daily decision of surrender. It cannot be mastered once and for all, but must be pursued moment by moment.
I am so glad JDaniel likes to "pretend" ride the cars and trucks.
I've definitely been finding myself playing the "if only" game, always looking to the next thing. I love that quote - I definitely want to have "no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord, at His disposal". Thanks for sharing!
WELL KNOCK ME OFF MY FEET
that was a fantastic post...i mean totally fantastic
good word! well said!
something we ALL need to be reminded of!!!
Wise words, my friends. Wise words.
How to be content in this life is something I am grasping for. Why don't I have this? Why don't I have that? She looks like she has it all..I want what she has. Ugh. Constant struggle.
Thanks for the reminder that my bus is working just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
We had a similar discussion at Bible Study last night. Somehow, I keep forgetting to look to Him for my happiness, joy, strength, security, contentment - when I know good and well and have read enough Beth Moore (haha) to know that I can never find those things in the "stuff" (and the people) of this world. If my mind is on Him, how can I be anything but happy, joyful, strong, secure, and content?
Wow! Beautifully written thank you!!
Liz
Sometimes in life I wonder who is learning more Gooner or ME????
girl, this just smacked me in the face hard... and I needed it! Thank you :) You really seem to say the things I need to hear at just the right times. I miss you friend...!
The police car also looks a lot different when you're sitting in the back of one (harhar).
Great post!!
Don't you love it when you scold your child about something you know you struggle with yourself. I particularly love when I say, rudely mind you, "We don't talk that way. You need to be kinder." Always a bit of a kick in the face. ;)
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