Contentment

Contentment is something that is a huge struggle for me. I know that it is human nature to see something that we like and wish we could have it but I feel like it is a daily struggle with me. I can never seem to be content with what God has given me and I always want more more more. Tax return season has come about again and of course I sat down and made a list of all the things that I want to get with it and just splurge splurge splurge! At the end of my list I took a good look at it and even though I had decided that I WAS going to get all of these things, I was still not happy. The next morning, we went to church and of course God put the perfect lesson on my Sunday school teachers heart to teach us that really hit home with me. His lesson was mainly about how we treat our neighbors but in his lesson he touched on worldly possession and how we see things that other people have and get envious. This was what really opened my eyes. After I got home from church, I took some alone time after we ate lunch as a family and then put Cam down for a nap to make a list of all of the things that I am thankful for in my life, big and small.
Here are a few of the things I am thankful for.
1. I am thankful for a loving, faithful, patient, hard working man to call my husband and best friend. I look at some of the girls that I went to school with who are having to raise their children on their own and I am just so thankful that I have Chris in my life. I have never seen any father look at their child the way Chris looks at our son. He is just as in love with Camden as I am.....and i know this is a rare quality in a man. He is so helpful of the things around the house that I can no longer do because I am reaching the end of my pregnancy and I am just so thankful. We have almost been married for 3 years no and I love him more and more every day.
2. I am thankful for a happy, healthy, smart, loving little boy. I literally cant remember my life when he was not in it. He is my life, and i am just so in love.
3. I am thankful for my beautiful house. I have a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house with a separate dining area, garage, and backyard. How can I not be content with this? Sometimes I still can find a way. Its shameful.
4. I am thankful that we can provide so well for our little family with only one income. This goes back to my husband. I am so lucky that I get to stay home and raise our little boy. Most mothers my age are having to work full time jobs to make ends meat. I am SO thankful that I can stay home with Camden and soon to be Cayson. We play all day, watch movies, sing songs, and learn new words! Its so fun.
5. I am thankful for our two cars. I have a 2008 Honda CRV and Chris has a 2007 Ford f150. They are both great cars and mine is actually paid off. Somehow I can still find a way to not be content with this....
6. I am thankful that we can give our children what they need. With the economy the way that it is today, I know that a lot of families are struggling. I'm not going to lie on here and say that we don't have to penny pinch every once in a while but we don't ever get behind with any bills and we can always put food on the table. In a way, I am thankful that the economy is the way that it is while Chris and I are still in our newlywed phase. I used to be so careless with money and did not appreciate it at all. I ate out every meal, bought anything i wanted, and did anything i wanted to do. Living on a budget has really taught me the value of money. It has also forced me to learn how to cook! ha ha. I'm sure my husband is very thankful for that part. My mother is a wonderful cook but I never took the time while i lived at home to go in and help her prepare our meals. I find myself calling her all the time for cooking tips :).
7. I am thankful for the church that we are a part of. We are part of such a wonderful church family that we can truly depend on. Not living near family has been difficult at times but our church really fills in that void. We are so blessed.
8. I am thankful for my family back in Texas. Chris and I were truly blessed with the families that God put us in. Our families have had ups and downs just as any other family has but they are mine, and I am thankful.
9. This might be a silly one to some of you but I am thankful for my furniture. This is one of my contentment issues. I want a new couch, new TV, new entertainment center, new kitchen table, ad new recliners. I already have nice couches, a nice 40" flat screen TV, a pretty kitchen table, etc.....its kind of ridiculous that I can find something to complain about when I already have something good....once again....its shameful.
10. There are soooo many other things that I am thankful for but the last thing I will put on here is my healthy pregnancy. God has blessed me so much with another healthy pregnancy and I am so blessed by this. Thank you God for my health and the health of my unborn child.
If this is something that you might have an issue with, I highly suggest that you sit down and make a list of everything that you are thankful for, big and small.
To God be the Glory great things he has done, so loved he the world that he gave us his son!
Thank you God for what you have blessed my life with.
That's all for now!
Much love and God bless!