Contentment

Contentment. A word I know the meaning of, tell other people to practice, but yet fail ALL the time at being content myself. For so long I thought I only needed to apply it to material things. Well, I've gotten fairly good at being content with what I have. (Until I see a Black Chevrolet Tahoe pull up next to me going down the road..... but now I just call that a goal) :)

But I'm content with what I have... I love my house, the things I have, etc. Sure, I would love to walk into Target and drop $500 bucks on a bunch of things, but I've learned to be content and live in the season that I am in.

BUT... The Lord has been challenging me with my contentment in my mind. Here are some examples of ways I have not been content in my mind.

• "I wish I was the mom who took a picture of Josie in the same outfit with a board that is super cute and says how many months old she is."

• "Geez, Chels- you should really do more to be healthy... drink the water, go work out, drink juice, take the supplements, etc. etc. etc."

• "If only Josh and I looked at each other the way _____ and ______ look at each other"

• "I sure wish I spent time with the Lord like __________ does."

• "How does her make up look that good EVERY TIME I SEE HER?"

• "And who has time to keep their eyebrows looking SO DANG GOOD?"

• "I should cook more"

• "I should do _________ with Josie more"

• "I should have more friends"

I mean guys, the list goes on. So, the other day I tell my mom that I'm horrible because I haven't taken monthly pictures of Josie... and Robin Henry Gaddis, the wisest woman I know- looked at me and said, "But Chelsea, that's not you... and that is okay."

I kind of laughed it off, but the more I thought about it- the more it struck me. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT, DOES NOT MEAN I HAVE TO. I have repeated this statement to myself over and over.

I am doing myself, my husband, and sweet Josie a disservice when I become so discontent with who I am. So I am challenging myself to celebrate my victories. To celebrate me breastfeeding 6 months straight (I never thought I would keep up with it this long). To celebrate the fact that I am with my husband nearly 24/7 and we still are madly in love with each other. I mean, y'all- we WORK together. Two people that drive 2 different routes home.. work together EVERY SINGLE DAY and marriage has ONLY GOTTEN BETTER. I will celebrate that I have kept a baby alive and haven't snapped at anyone while not getting more than 5 hours asleep at a time for the past SIX months.

Instead of criticizing, I will celebrate. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I will choose joy. Instead of not feeling good enough, I will find what I am great at.

"And he has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" ...Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong"
-2 Corinthians 12:9-10