Finding Contentment

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Today I had a rare opportunity to sit outside in the shade while Jaden played, and I wrote in my journal and read my Bible.  Many of my journal entries read something like "God, please give us a bigger house," or "God, I'm going crazy in this tiny 800 square foot home," or "God, I've gotten rid of everything I can and we still don't have enough room."   We've lived here for almost 7 years and the walls seem to be closing in on us at times.  BUT, at the same time, we have the lowest rent of anyone we know, we have a gigantic back yard, a nice front yard, and we're in a good neighborhood.  Things that are hard to find around here.  

I felt led to turn to Matthew 6, where it says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This passage made me think "where is my treasure?"  Is it in my home?  Because I think it has been! That must be why I get so discontent all the time!  I thought about Jesus, as he lived his life, and how he "had no place to lay his head."   Was Jesus concerned about what kind of house he lived in?  What brand of sandals to wear?  Having a new cloak to wear?  How much money he had on him to spend?  Having the best food available?  No - Jesus was concerned about His Father's business - that is what occupied His mind, His thoughts, His time, His efforts.  He was more concerned with doing His Father's will than doing what His flesh wanted to do.  

Where my treasure is, that's where my heart will be.  That's where my joy will be.  I CAN find joy in this house, in this place in life, if my heart is focused on the Lord at all times.  It is challenging to do that, I know.   I want to be about my Father's business - and today that means showing God's love to my husband, my 2 kids, and Sarah, who I mentor today.  If I succeed in that, then I have done my Father's business.

The funny thing is - my phone rang right after I read that passage and my friend told me about her struggle to find a cheaper place to live.  "You are SO blessed," she said, "You have a nice house, with a huge backyard, it's cheap... I wish we could find something like that."  I got off the phone feeling like God had a message for me today - be content, and find my joy in Him.